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
