Fitting into the new India

“That’s because Balram shows us a face of India many of us shy away from,” reflects the young lawyer,who despite his choc-a-block schedule steals time to ponder over books,the last being The White Tiger,winner of the Man Booker Prize.

The fact that despite economic progress,a large section of people are subjugated by those who have money power is something that disturbs Aman,who has recently returned from Florence after attending a course on human rights at the Academy of European Law.

“The agenda of the course was that along with peace and security,the United Nations is also responsible for protection of human rights and enforces the same and how we lawyers also should get acquainted with the new human rights laws,” he explains.

Returning to his last read,Aman says he is disturbed by the deceit,corruption and political fixings,which are destroying the country’s core. “The claims of India being the next economic power notwithstanding,deep down the system needs a lot of cleansing,as is reflected through the story of Balram,whose life is narrated through letters he writes to the Chinese Premier. It’s so interesting to get to know this man,who is a mix of the good,bad and evil and his journey from rags to riches.”

Aman adds: “It is an eye opener to read how through one man,you understand what life in India is,something that sinks in as you turn the pages.

The novel is disillusioning,funny,serious,scary…but totally engrossing. Like the white tiger,Balram’s character is rare,as is his life,who has the potential but not the means to get right at the top. The book is a peep into the ‘real’ rural life of India,where things are not as simple as imagined,for here too,there’s a price to pay for everything.”

The story tracks Balram’s journey from the village to the city,seeing life in a new light,as a driver-cum-servant of his landlord’s son,a brush with politicians and their ways,his constant struggle with his conscience,entrepreneur skills and eventually fitting into the system to make it to the top.

Aman refers to Balram’s life in a big city and his tryst with the ‘new’ India as a bold piece of literature,presented in a novel way.

“What’s more,it shakes you up,for you too are a part of the big mess,and want to fight it…”