Why India Survives....... Review on India after Gandhi - Ramachandra Guha

One of the most interesting aspects of revisiting history , lies in the ability of the narrative/author to bring about a certain freshness and revision in its outlook. It’s similar to the tedious and monotonous process of consummating. It’s stimulating only when different positions are taken by the participants :)

And it is precisely this revisit to the oft asked yet exciting question that occupies the minds of historians and academia, of how does this “Unnatural Nation”, on the plank of fighting a common enemy (British), reconciles its social differences (till date), persists and clings on to a concept known as “India” and if she succeeds in the following years, then why, that is thrown in with some interesting unknown references is what makes reading our history interesting

In his 900 page book, Ramachandra Guha attempts the enormous task to capture India’s fascinating 60 year history with various events told chronologically that is supplemented at times by a concise, evidenced and at times an exhaustive description.

Fortunately, Guha doesn’t extend the complexity of History to his prose which is simple and one that engages the reader. I do not know of any other book that recounts our political history with interesting snippets and anecdotes that our traditional textbooks have denied us.

The book begins with India “Picking up the pieces”, recounting horrors of displacement post an inevitable and painful partition, that is partly blamed on Gandhi’s ignorance of Jinnah’s rising popularity, partly Jinnah’s own tactful ambition and also Nehru’s belief that Muslim’s would follow a Socialist Credo than faith, leading to one of History’s biggest mass migration. One recounts the horrors and the pain yet the triumph of putting together the concept of “India” with several regional and linguistic challenges that the nation then faced.A HARSH reminder of the process of putting together a concept created and called India.A streak of black eeriness flows across the initial chapters

The Chapters that then follow clearly indicate Guha’s bias towards Nehru’s and his contribution to nation building. And this is where I thought Guha’s first fails.

Guha credits almost all of India’s strengths to Nehru’s that it almost sounds like a tribute to him. He fails again to identify Nehru’s failures in adopting a socialist stance which denied us any socioeconomic progress the last decade has seen. However the author could be forgiven for his bias which even extends to his role in Kashmir even though Nehru fails to identify the alienation and disillusionment of leaders like Sheikh Abdullah.

But not for his frequent Encyclopedia like accounts of facts which to any reader lest to any educated Indian, is tedious. Several chapters of the books may be skipped as it’s bereft of any analysis or diagnosis despite the ease in prose. There is a sense of immense awe one has for the effort Guha has put in compiling several facts unknown to most readers but one can’t help but ask the question whether the mention of when and where is India's republic day celebrated,is of any relevance, which is where this reader lost his interest with the book established in the initial chapters. Or for that matter – “Kerala is a state located in the southern part of India”. Thank you Guha! I’m Enlightened!

And this vomiting of facts continues for several chapters. You’re overwhelmed by the wealth of information that Guha even on his best days would not remember and it is almost as if Guha is paying an Ode to his Chronicling abilities. You then conclude that this book was written for an audience completely oblivious to India history.

Guha then captures several areas where challenges of holding India together through various legislations/initiative either in law or approach, arising out of either regional powers or linguistic concerns and then the rise of Hindu Fundamentalism and despite this challenge, why India remains secular and united.

But then again his mention about "Entertainment Achievements" like Amitabh at Tussads, might just put you off! Why should a foreign endorsement be a function of our pride? The weakest Chapter though is 'Riches' which reminds you of another boring book - "The world is Flat"

Is the Experience a satisfying one? I’m still inclined to say yes.

As you read the book one develops an ability to choose parts that require your attention, courtesy the titles of the chapters, about those historic events, the trials and tribulations, the importance given to sustain institutions and it’s survival which is why we have remained secular and devoid of any bias, of that “Election process” which we all should cherish as it brought down the fall of Indira Gandhi who led India to victories in war but failed at the ballot! It is a reminder that India’s strength lies in us and it’s me who is the instrument of change in my own little way.

I’m happy that India is not captured in a boring poet’s vision of the Himalayas and the romance of the polluted Ganges. It’s the grand democracy, the legislation and the judiciary that fails at times but still moves on. Just like the event immediately after Nehru’s Historic Speech, where he delivers a list of cabinet ministers to the Governor, only to find that it was a blank page!!! But alas things are settled as the page is found and the swearing in ceremony takes place. Similar to India’s story, Struggling yet functioning……