Book Review : The Great Indian Novel by Shashi Tharoor

Through with the book “The great Indian Novel” by shashi tharoor.

The book is a meandering river that helps one travel through entire Indian history  - pre & post independence. Interesting part is none of the characters carry their real names – the author in a conjugal act – relates all characters in his story to closest replicas in Mahabharata. 

Gandhiji is named as Gangaji – Bhishm pitamah, Pandit Nehru becomes Dhristrashtra & Subhash Chandra Bose is Pandu and so on. 

Go or not Go ?

Book is educational – so it tends to bore you. Only when post independence events are introduced does it becomes somewhat gripping.  Must read if you want to understand events which have shaped India.

Quick peek :

A substantial part of story revolves around pre independence struggle, Gangaji/ Gandhiji’s heroic formation of congress & the politics within it which drove SC bose/Pandu to seek help from Japanese as he was ousted from Congress. Karna is the Muslim leader – Mohammad Ali Jinnah.  The author plays with the characters of Mahabharata and weaves them seamlessly in the storyline of India .

Sneak peek into history – is the best education this book provides. Thought provoking – fruitful - eye opening – points book puts forward –

1. The story of Motihari – the village Gangaji of the novel (Gandhiji in real)travels to and understands that India has not ALWAYS BEEN POOR. British get him arrested for the fear of enthusiasm he may bring back to peasants through his thoughtful speeches. But he wins by sheer knack of wisdom and righteousness by arguing in court and court has no other option but to lift charges against him. 

Very small event – but a tipping point – in letting people know that yes britishers could be bend and he was the one to make that happen

2. Contrasting win at Ahmadabad Mill – where Gangaji kept his first fast – was a costly moral victory with least impact.

3. The forcefully conducted partition which torn the one nation apart  - both the sides never been able to fathom how the ego clashes of their respective group leaders  Congress Vs Muslim League – could lead to such disaster historical moment.

4. The rise of Janata party in 1970s quite like the AAP government of today formed by Pandavas who were hard working honest hearted men but were ultimately caught unaware in the storm of politics crafted by wily politician Mrs. Indira Gandhi. Author chooses the strange character from Mahabharata Duryodhani to portray Mrs. Gandhi’s  idiosyncrasies.

5. The era of Emergency – what exactly lead to it – how at one time India was governed by the Iron Lady( Mrs. Gandhi) who had taken the nation to the brink of dictatorship.

The book ends on a notable question from Yudhishtra as he refuses to get awarded by masters of heaven just because he was “righteous”. Whether righteousness or dharma is the correct yardstick to measure a man’s fulfillment of purpose in life?  The main point is whether in your righteousness or non righteousness you achieved what you meant to achieve for your country.

India is what matters – righteousness or not  - did you take the correct action which could uplift your country – is what should be the correct yardstick to the  success or failure of your purpose on earth.  Shashi Tharoor Concludes.