Unity in diversity the hallmark of India- That's what an Indian
student learns in his early school days. But as the student grows he
sees the lack of unity in many crucial issues. But still there is a
wider acceptance of the concept of India as a nation. The student today
proudly claims to be born in a nation that houses some of the best
talents of the world, a nation that is characterized by its democracy,
the largest democracy in the world. But why we see a striking
difference, confusion and lack of clarity in several issues of national
interest- Kashmir, Uniform Civil Code, Ram Temple/Babri Masjid, Federal
structure?Dr Ramachandra Guha, the famous historian focuses on simplifying some of the badly entangled threads of Indian political history. The book India After Gandhi is touches most of the critical issues that affected the country over the post-independence years.
The author starts with some of the not so optimistic predictions on future of Indian nation. Then the book moves on the issues of creation of Pak, amalgamation of India states, unresolves Kashmir issue, Naga protest, general elections, nation building policies of Nehru, short span of Shastri, emergence of Indira as India, the dark days of emergency and condemnable policies of Sanjay Gandhi, Morarjee period, renewed vigour of Indira, birth of Rajeev in politics, VP Singh and Mondal Commission, PV Narashimha Rao, government formation of BJP, Godhra riots, Congress'es regain of power at centre.
With the major event the book also touches the crucial issues that impacted the contour of the nation. The description on social, political and economic life of common Indians is deeply engrossing.
At the end of the book the author comes back to the point where he had started the book- why India is still an united entity. The author finds "So long as the constitution is not amended beyond recognition, so long as elections are held regularly and fairly and the ethos of secularism broadly prevails, so long as citizens can speak and write in the language of their choosing, so long as there is an integrated market and a moderately efficient civil service and army, and – lest I forget – so long as Hindi films are watched and their songs sung, India will survive".
If you want to understand India and increase your cultural literacy, get indulged in this book. It would truly be your friend- will keep your boredom at bay, develop a lasting relationship with you, and will leave a long lasting impression in your mind-and all these while making you more knowledgeable
, in both political and sociocultural understanding of world's largest democracy
