After the controversial Joseph Stiglitz and the brilliant Nicholas Stern, a relatively unknown French researcher rises from the ranks to the coveted post of chief economist and vice-president of the World Bank. But Francois Bourguignon has his heart in the right place. He emphasises that his motto is 'growth with equity'. And yes, he'd put his money on India in the future. Excerpts from an interview with Paromita Shastri: