Book Review [85] : The Idea Of India

'The Idea Of India' is a collection of 5 big essays on various dimensions of Indian union and Indians. Written by Sunil Khilnani, it basically talks about the development or degeneration of Indian politics, her cities, democracy and the evolution of Indian identity. Sunil Khilnani talks about Nehru's idea of India in glowing terms and blames later Congress leaders for the decline of Secularism and the faith in Indian identity mainly because of the rise of Caste and religion based politics. 

As such its a not a great book for a person who has Patrick French/India after Gandhi etc but still its a reasonably good read for a novice reader or a reader who is not aware of Indian history. This fades in comparison with both 'India:A Portrait' and 'India after Gandhi', the writer does not do much justice with the title of the book and does not objectively analyze the ideology of the right and of the left. The essay on "Cities" is really good but even it fails to connect with the well informed reader.

Recommended (6/10)

Book Review [84] : India Wins Freedom

'India Wins Freedom' is an autobiography of a great India Freedom Fighter and one of the builders of Modern India, 'Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (1888 - 1958)', put into words by Humayun Kabir. It was published in two phases one in 1958 (without 30 pages critical of Patel, Nehru and Gandhi) and the complete version in 1988. 

Maulana Azad was born in a family of great Islamic theologians in Mecca, his family moved to Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1890. He was there at the founding session of Muslim League in 1906 and his career took a rapid start during the Khilafat movement. He championed the cause of Urdu Journalism and continuously wrote nationalist articles despite of seizure of his press by the British. He became the youngest person to become the President of Congress although in a special session (in 1923). He was the longest serving (1940-46) President of Congress before the advent of Indira Gandhi. He lost his wife when he was in Jail (1942-45) and Britishers did not allow him to even pay the last visit to his dying wife; such was the sacrifice he made.

He accuses Sardar Patel of Communalism and calls him the founder of the partition of India; he blames Gandhi as well as Nehru for the partition albeit in a moderate manner but the way he puts venom on Patel, its tough to digest as Patel was not alive at the time of publication of this book to give his own account, similar was the case with Gandhi and to a certain extent Pt. Nehru. He blames Congress for the partition and calls the actions of Jinnah a bit of exploitation of the blunder made by Congress in vacillating around Cabinet Mission proposal. At many places he says that Muslims has played a heavy price of the partition but he does not say anything about the Hindus/Sikhs of the Pakistan (and Bangladesh). He becomes completely partisan of the interests of the Muslims during the riots and does not say a thing about the interests of the non-Muslims in Pakistan. 

A nice read, it gives another perspective of the freedom struggle and the tense and bloody days of 1940s.

Highly Recommended (8/10)

Book Review [83] : The Widening Divide

Rafiq Zakaria is a widely read Muslim Scholar, known for his books on the relations of Hindu-Muslim communities. I got a chance to read his book "The Widening Divide" - a book on the complexities of Hindu-Muslim relations. I was attracted by the title of this book and i tried to read the book with an open mind. The author says that he has written this book primarily for Hindus to dispel some myths and falsifications about Indian Muslims spread by the Hindutva Brigade. I have to confess here that i am a non-practicing Hindu but i do have firm belief in my religion; on other hand i do hold other religions in respect.
He covers various complex issues mainly - the behavior of Muslim Invaders and Kings on their Hindu subjects, the Kashmir question, the riots, the Ayodhya issue, the partition,  reforms-economic-social conditions of Muslims and the charge of Hindutva Brigade. He is pretty neutral and appears very objective overall but at places the words betray his cause. He conveniently forgets the Mappila riots of Kerala during the Khilafat movement, the plight of Hindus in Pakistan and Bangladesh, Iltumish and Aibak were shown in good light ignoring the temples looted and desecrated by these and other rulers of Delhi Sultanate and of Mughal Empire. The gory destruction of Hampi is conveniently ignored by him. No one can deny the role played by various Sufi saints in the conversion of Hindus into the fold of Islam but no one should also deny the role played by the power of sword and Jizyah tax. North Indian plains do not have any ancient temple or monument; the oldest monument in the north Indian plains would be Qutub Minar if i am not wrong, i will be more than happy to be proved wrong here.

Its very easy to abuse Hindutva movement or call them Fascists but the most important question that should be asked is why this movement enjoy so much support among the masses. There has to be some element of truth in the ideology of this movement. Unless the questions raised by his ideology are not answered and are not perceived to be answered this movement would continue to gain momentum in the dangerously fertile land of India. Perhaps Zakaria sahib and perhaps we all should try to find these answers, it is never too late unless u call it late.

Recommended (7/10)

Book Review [82] : The Race Of My Life

We as a nation has produced very less number of world class athletes and none of them so far has been able to meet the achievements of Flying Sikh 'Milkha Singh'. 'The Race Of My Life' is an emotional and very inspirational autobiography of living legend Milkha Singh. A very popular film 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' has been also made on Milkha Singh. Farhan Akhtar has done a superb role in this movie in portraying Milkha Singh.

They say adversities breed legends and they are very right in the case of Milkha Singh. A boy of 15 years age who saw the brutal massacre of his entire family before him by marauding fanatics in Govindpura village (now in Pakistan) of partitioned India, escapes to India and after struggling for 5-6 years in wilderness he gets himself recruited in Indian Army. This triggers the beginning of a great career and Milkha Singh goes on winning 400 meters races in India and outside India both. He annihilates the false arrogance of Abdul Khaliq of Pakistan twice - in Tokyo Asiad in 1958 and in Athletic meet in Pakistan in 1960. The then President of Pakistan Ayub Khan gives him the title of Flying Sikh in 1960 after his victory over Abdul Khaliq in Lahore in 1960. He becomes the first Indian to win a gold medal in Commonwealth Games when he won the 400 meters race. The Prime Minister of Indian declared National Holiday in India to celebrate his Gold Medal. His fame and personality reach Himalayan heights before Rome Olympics of 1960.

Every good thing comes to an end; in the final of 400 meters in Rome Olympics all the top 4 finalists break the 400 meters Olympic record in final race; thus despite of breaking the Olympic record Milkha Singh does not get a medal. He comes 4th in a Photo Finish final. He still rues this chance of not winning the Gold Medal. He was dominating the race for first 250 meters but the mistake of slowing down in last few seconds takes away the medal from his hands. He was the champion athlete who made his career from scratch and extreme poverty. He is an inspiration to all of us who always crib about lack of proper facilities and infrastructure. He ends his autobiography with beautiful Urdu couplet.

"Mita de apni hasti ko, agar koi martaba chahe

ki dana khak main milkar, gul-e-gulzar hota hai"

(Destroy your existence if you want to reach the zenith as the seed has to unite with dust to sprout flowers)

Overall this book is a beautifully written book, full of inspiration and struggle. This is the first book i have read on an Indian sportsperson and what an amazing sportsperson he is.

Highly Recommended (9/10)

Book Review [81] : Asura - Tale of the Vanquished

'Asura: Tale of the Vanquished' is one of the high selling books of 2013; written by Anand Neelkantan. The market is being flooded by the books inspired by Indian mythology and Hindu religion these days and this book is not an exception.

The author claims that this is the story of Ravana and his people from his and his people's viewpoint. Author uses every opportunity to denigrate, insult and abuse the north Indian culture, Lord Rama and all the prominent Heroes of Ramayana and he does that with full impunity by labeling it as the viewpoint of Ravana. Ravana is shown as a mighty Asura Emperor who wanted to establish a caste free society and wanted to redeem the Asuras from the evil rule of the Devas. Goddess Sita is shown as the daughter of Ravana; thus he changes the subject of the war completely. Vanaras ware shown as evil and barbarians and their earlier king who took the wife of Sugreeva is shown as just and brave. Hero Angada commits the rape of Asura queen and wife of Ravana i.e. Mandodari in this farcical story. Asura society is shown as the epitome of freedom and the example of egalitarian society while Dewa society is shown as inhumane and casteist. The writer uses the garb of Ravana viewpoint to settle his own biases and prejudices. He fulfills his own agenda against the "Brahmanic" culture of north India, and in doing so he insults Lord Rama and his entire family. Ayodhya is shown as a dirty and evil city where untouchability is the norm and people are extremely poor and barbaric.

India is a free country, one can write anything one wants but in my view point let God(s) and sacred scriptures be left as they are and they should not be twisted to salvage one's agenda or view point. Malicious literature should not be accepted in the garb of freedom of expression.

Not Recommended (0/10)