What Young India Wants by Chetan Bhagat serves as his debut compilation of essays and columns addressing Society, Politics, and Youth—three critical dimensions of India that illuminate our hopes, desires, and aspirations. In this collection, he demonstrates a remarkable ability to navigate a variety of themes that emerge from his reflective perspective, positioning himself as a voice for the youth.
Throughout the sections dedicated to culture, political matters, and the youth, the author shares his insights on the current state of affairs, presenting them in a series of essays that encompass topics ranging from cultural issues and violence to wealth and happiness. Each piece is cleverly titled, suggesting that India's challenges can be approached with a blend of optimism and familiar expressions.
The opening chapter contrasts American and Indian cultures in a manner that emphasizes material wealth over genuine prosperity. The following section delves into India's political landscape, where the author critiques the inaction of lawmakers and proposes ways to encourage their accountability. Maintaining a neutral stance, he examines both the ruling party and the opposition, highlighting the significant issues that resonate within the corridors of power.
The author advocates for fostering harmony with neighboring nations and questions the judicial system's favoritism towards a select few. This segment presents a wealth of thought-provoking ideas suitable for discussion; while challenging to implement, they are not beyond reach. The call for change is particularly emphasized in the third section of the book, titled "Our Youth," where the focus shifts to the concerns of young India.
The works within the youth segment are engagingly interpreted and thoughtfully examined, addressing themes such as educational stress, the importance of proficient English, shortcomings and needs of the current educational framework, pathways of intellect, communication gaps among students from varied backgrounds, and intriguingly, two fictional short stories at the conclusion of this section. These narratives are well-crafted and provide a moment of relaxation after engaging with a wide range of topics.
The author may not delve deeply into the underlying issues, yet the brilliance of his quick, fluid reflections suggests that our educational system requires significant reform. His observations resonate with widely held sentiments, prompting a response, and he critiques many representatives as being superficial and lacking depth.
The author does not shy away from offering his own simplistic and naive solutions regarding the complex relationships between friends and business associates. He articulates that our policies need revision to prevent collective failures and expresses skepticism towards the Indian billionaire class, whom he believes owe their success more to their networks than to any genuine innovation.
He addresses pressing issues, demands responses, and proposes solutions for a healthier, more prosperous India, confronting challenges such as corruption, systemic bias, electoral integrity, belief systems, caste dynamics, and violence. In clear and accessible language, coupled with profound insights, he explores several intricate issues facing contemporary India, offering hopeful and coherent radical solutions to many challenges and inviting discussion on these matters. For those seeking to understand modern India, its struggles, and wishing to contribute to the solution, this book is essential reading.
The book offers a comprehensive perspective on the tumult surrounding the framework of the state, its aspirations, and the collective desires of countless individuals. It primarily focuses on the underlying corruption that permeates the very institutions governing us, addressing societal issues and the frustrations and ambitions of the current generation, alongside the author's reflections on navigating and addressing such significant challenges.
A notable aspect of the work is that the author does not pose as a philosopher; rather, he remains true to his identity, which is cherished by many for his humor and wit, consistently evident throughout the text. The book is written in a manner that creates the impression of engaging with an extraordinary narrative. In many instances, readers will find echoes of his previous works that elicit a peculiar smile in solitude.
In addressing contemporary issues in India, the author makes a commendable effort to connect with a broad audience, employing satire, humor, and vivid illustrations within an expansive narrative. He speaks candidly from his perspective, genuinely desiring a positive transformation for India.
