Dreams gone astray
It is difficult sometimes to find great new books, because even if you are reading a lot, you will most likely turn to your favorite writers and genres first before you go explore the wide world of literature. In the case of Anglophone literature, we usually turn to English or American authors, forgetting that English is also the first language of many people who live in former British colonies. One of these post-colonial countries with a rich tradition of literary production and distinguished authors is India.
The picture of modern India, as it is presented in foreign news today, does not have much in common with the dreams Gandhi had more than sixty-five years ago, dreams that had proved to be illusions from the very beginning. Gandhi, who idealized an interchange between religions, which made it needless to convert, but to adopt and learn of different beliefs, views that put him in opposition to fundamentalism, had to watch as Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims fought each other, leading to the partition of India. The equality of the castes and sexes, he preached, is still far from reality. The status of women, especially in rural regions, has only slightly improved. Sex-selective abortions, female infanticide and rape are only some of the problems that the Indian women still have to fight against on their way to gaining more self-esteem.
The picture of modern India, as it is presented in foreign news today, does not have much in common with the dreams Gandhi had more than sixty-five years ago, dreams that had proved to be illusions from the very beginning. Gandhi, who idealized an interchange between religions, which made it needless to convert, but to adopt and learn of different beliefs, views that put him in opposition to fundamentalism, had to watch as Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims fought each other, leading to the partition of India. The equality of the castes and sexes, he preached, is still far from reality. The status of women, especially in rural regions, has only slightly improved. Sex-selective abortions, female infanticide and rape are only some of the problems that the Indian women still have to fight against on their way to gaining more self-esteem.
Indian cities are overrun by people streaming in from rural regions, often being forced to live in the slums or the streets in order to be nearer to their places of work.
The recent headlines about rape and murder of Indian women and children
show that it is about time to stop dreaming and face reality. India is far more
than a giant Ashram where Westerners go in order to find a way back to
themselves. Nor is it some sort of an exotic garden full of wise and
fascinating men and women who do nothing but pray Shanti Mantras for world
peace. The Republic of India is a progressive country of great economic and
military power, but the westernization of the Indian society often clashes
against tradition, caste and male dominated views.
Hopefully there will soon be drastic legal and policing reforms and the
image of India in the eyes of the world will become one this great country
deserves.
Here are some great books by Indian authors/about Indian topics I read and would highly recommend:
Arundhati Roy: The God of Small Things, Salman Rushdie: Midnight Children, Shalimar the Clown (among many others), Aravind Adiga: The White Tiger, Amitav Ghosh: Sea of Poppies
The works of Rabindranath Tagore
