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| India, cinerama |
| Amitabh Kant / Aug 14, 2010, 00:12 IST |
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This coffee-table offering is a well-timed reminder of the country’s diversity.
Irecall meeting Amit Dasgupta, the editor of India for a Billion Reasons, during a visit to Berlin to represent India at the International Tourism Bourse. Amit was a knowledgeable guide, crafty phrasemaker and passionate both in prose and in pursuit of success in the challenging tasks assigned to a foreign service officer of a dynamic and transforming India in a complex world. Amit’s passion is reflected in India for a Billion Reasons.
It is often said that India’s size, diversity and countless cultures make a journey through the country a continuous cinerama. Writers have described India as an expression of joy, freedom, colour, innovation, and of life itself. Much of India’s charm has been in the fact that it is at once a young nation and an ancient civilisation. The winds of change have never led to radical rupture in India — traditions have adapted to technology and continuity has blended with change.
India for a Billion Reasons is targeted at young Indians — especially the non-resident professionals about whom Adam Osborne, co-founder of Apple Computers, once said, “Indians represent the most affluent minority in America, ahead of Jewish-Americans and Japanese-Americans. Indians swarm all over Silicon Valley. They are recognised throughout America as technology-superior.” On account of the economic slowdown many of these expatriate Indians are now relocating to India. They are exploring the new India and its implications for the old India they loved. The book release is perfectly timed, coming before the Commonwealth Games — when, for good or bad, India will have a visible presence.
India for a Billion Reasons covers a range of subjects from travel to culture to craft and economy, in a series of essays backed by spontaneous and powerful photographs. The quality, however, is uneven. Some essays are brilliant, some mediocre and a few should not be in the book. The selection also needed more focus, and the cartoons at the end of the book are inconsistent with the tone and content. The book would have been enhanced with a future-oriented piece on the building of a new India.
Atri Bhattacharya’s piece on his travel experiences, Anita Ratnam’s analysis of rhythmic journeys through dance forms and Bibek Debroy’s piece on India’s economic tryst with destiny are the highlights of the book. They are analytical, in-depth, present new dimensions and perspective on India and are well-written.
Others, like Rohan Mukherjee’s piece on Indian polity and Tarun Basu’s piece on the press, do not leave any impact. Amit Dasgupta’s own essay on the culinary wealth of India is a mere cut-and-paste job of Indian recipes. the cuisines of India have played a significant role in the branding of India — cuisine is a specialised art based on a deep understanding of India’s spiritual traditions and knowledge of the medical properties of plants and herbs. Regional cuisines have assimilated a number of influences and evolved culinary traditions. Amit would have done greater service to this book by writing an experiential piece, basing it on interactions with some of the great Indian chefs who are building the distinctive taste of India.
The book has some inspired photography which captures the adventures, challenges and beauty of India. Avinash Pasricha’s shot of the Pungcholam dancers undertaking controlled leaps while playing drums, and a photo of Odissi guru Kelucharan Mohapatra during a performance add immense value. Hari Menon’s shot of a woman at work in a Palakkad paddy field, and of harvest-time in the Kuttanadu rice bowl, both in Kerala, are visually stunning.
India will soon pass through the window of demographic transition. In the next decade the average age of the population will be under 30. By 2030 another 350 million people will enter the urbanisation process and India will be an urban-majority country. If India has to sustain its present levels of growth over the next three decades, manufacturing will have to be the key driver and urbanisation will have to be embraced. There will be challenges — in improving social indices, lifting vast segments out of poverty, building regional parity and an an environmentally sustainable model of growth.
A rapidly growing and more inclusive India will appeal to young Indians in India and abroad. In the long run India can be a country for a billion reasons if infrastructure improves, health and education gains become widespread and poverty decreases. Only growth is the answer.
The book has some fine essays, sensitive photography and high production values. Buy it for a new perspective on India and your coffee table. It will add value to both. n
Amitabh Kant is currently CEO & MD, Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corporation
INDIA FOR A BILLION REASONS
Editor: Amit Dasgupta
Publisher: Wisdom Tree
Pages: 224
Price: Rs 3,495
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