The Three Mistakes of My Life-Chetan Bhagath

Bollywoodization of novel
Historiographic metafiction
Nation and Identity
Cricket Nationalism
Politics and Religion
Inspirational Novel
Comparison of Nationness
Conflicts between Emotion and Logic

These are some of the points I have noted in relation to the novel The three Mistakes of My Life by Chetan Bhagat. Those who have viewed the novel as silly might feel my arguments as childish. Bollywoodization of Novel means the particular style adopted by the novelist in the treatment of Character settings and Plot construction which will reminds the reader about the Bollywood films, may be a second rated movie. In other words the term refers to the adaptability of the novel to a film; not only this particular novel but almost all the novels of Bhagat.
The term Historiographic Metafiction, coined by Linda Hutcheon refers to the self reflexivity of the novel and also the reconceptualization of History. This term usually applied to the novels of Salman Rushdie and Amitav Ghosh, and not to the novelists like Bhagat. The reason is Rushdie and Ghosh’ treatment is somewhat serious and grand where as Bhagat is so ‘silly’. The idea of “ historicity in fiction and fictionality of history” worked well in the novel. Contrary to the writings of Rushdie we won’t feel the artificial link between ‘individual memory’ and ‘collective history’. Bhagat wrote about the earth quake in Bhuj, terrorist attack of America, and Gujarat riots from the point of Govind and showed how individual memories can intervene in the grand narration of history.
The idea of nation used by Bhagat is of great significance in the contemporary social scenario. The statement of Ali, he will be an Indian even if he have a hundred births, is significant in many respects. At one level it is significant in a level which helps us to understand how the nationness being constructed rather than there normally. Through films and various ways like the cricket is used to build national sentiments. In Ali’s case it is important because he is a Muslim, therefore the ‘other’. In the opposite side we can see Parekhji and others tried to assert the Hindu identity of the nation. As Benedict Anderson noted the nation is an imagined community. Nobody really cares about nation except during the time of cricket matches. At one level Eric Habsbawns idea of “invented traditions” might helps us to understand the situation further. Through Rama and Ayodhya the Karsevaks tried to invent a tradition which is homogenous. The attitude of the Australians and how they treated Indians and the cultural difference between us and Aussies is also important. They are not blinded by nationalism, instead tried to understand the talent in others. The trained vs. artificial comes there too.
An important motive in the novel is the conflict between emotion and logic. In the very beginning itself the central character makes it very clear that he don’t like emotional dramas; even the hugs of his mother. Later he criticise his friends for bringing sympathy in business. In his conversation the Aussies player criticise the Indians for being too much emotional. The reactions of Mamaji and Parekhji also project this as a weakness of Indians. And Mamaji tried to overcome his weakness after the death of his son, by not crying but at the same time became too much emotional which is not grief but anger. The characterization of Vidya also mentions this aspect. Vidya is portrayed as a brave character instead of the’ weak Indian woman’. She never cried when she faced problems in contrast to Govind who is very weak at that time.
The novel is Inspirational in the sense that modern novels tried to educate the people, inspires them and tried to be with them. The title itself, i.e The Three Mistakes of My Life makes it very clear that it is about the mistakes of a person’s journey toward success; the mistakes taught him new lessons and he will move forward by learning from those mistakes.









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We Need Iconoclasts!!

The recent controversy in India related to the publication of 'Great Soul - Mahatma Gandhi and his Struggles with India', penned by Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Joseph Lelyveld, invited huge criticism by politicians and the so-called Gandhians.

The book alleged that Gandhi was a bisexual and claims that the arguments are really based on a diary written by Gandhi himself. The Maharashtra govt requested the central govt to ban the book. All the intellectuals in the country started great cry over the issue as if they really care about Gandhi. The Gandhians and the Gandhi Party [Congress] should make it clear that whether they really follow his footsteps. If not, which very clear, why do they create such dramas in front of the people. It is their necessity to maintain the sacred image of Gandhi, to sell his image and acquire maximum vote from the people.

No party in India really believed in the ideas of Gandhi. Actually most of his arguments in Hind Swaraj seem very childish. The arguments might be relevant but who wants to follow those? Even if we believe in Gandhi and are Gandhians ourselves do we need to criticise a book, and ban it merely because the author did not agree with us. We actually want some iconoclasts. We always go for ready -made icons and worship them. But very rarely we dare to question our core values. Let us come out from the comfort-zones and start question everything. Believe me it is not against Gandhi; he was the greatest iconoclast the world has ever seen.

One Night at the Call Center: A Novel by Chetan Bhagat




Yea really interesting. Deals with the new generation in India. The challenges they are facing in the IT sector. It is a moving tale about the vast possibilities we, Indians, have in this global world. It analyzes the problems of Indian economy, its failure in the contemporary world. The main reason Bhagat mentioned is the mismanagement and inefficient rule of our political leaders. One major issue he trying to reminds us is that, even though we have potentials, our youngsters have abilities, they don't have courage,faith in themselves.
As far as the novel is concerned it satisfies me as a reader;eventhough I don't like the business with God[ what we say as Deus X Machina sometimes]. But the clever author interferes there and makes us believe that this is the correct ending and every other ending will be worse. In the present world people accept the idea of inner voice and issues related to it. The novelist cleverly utilized its possibility.

The interference of author in the actions of novel is an important feature of present day fiction writing. The post- Barthian novel genre is reluctant in accepting the concept of the deathn of the Author and somehow very childishly try to insert their power on the reader.
The more disturbing aspect of the novel, I think, is the connection made by Bhagat on India's progress with U.S. He blames the U.S. people and their governmental policies. We should not the U.S govt to took care of us, the Indians. And the comments on the emotional and intelligent superiority of Indians over the Americans is also an exaggerated one. To say India is great we not underestimate the other nations.



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A Ruling Passion

A Ruling Passion by Judith Michael




The novel discusses many issues. Basically it is a novel about two characters Valerie and Sybille and the clashes between both. But in a deeper analysis we can see that the novelist is throwing some intricate questions to the society. When the people think that money matters everything and to acquire money do anything the basic values of the human society will collapse. The loss of these humanitarian values is very well discussed in the novel.
Another crucial issue the novelist trying to discuss is the marketization of religion.In this world of globalization even religious ideals becomes another commodity and while selling the commodity only profit matters. The clash between religious values and market values goes back to Middle Ages itself. The influence of money corrupted even the established churches itself. The God-men and religious preachers are subjected to so many corruption nowadays.
The influence of mass medias and other technologies on society and how it discards social values, all discussed in this novel.
In the last part of the novel the author tried to give a psychological explanation to the bad deeds of the central 'negative' character, Sybille but failed.




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The Man Under The Mask-V.S

"We live in a world where there is more and more information, and less and less meaning."Jean Baudrillard, Simulacra and Simulation
"There is nothing more mysterious than a TV set left on in an empty room. It is even stranger than a man talking to himself or a woman standing dreaming at her stove. It is as if another planet is communicating with you."
Jean Baudrillard, America
"The futility of everything that comes to us from the media is the inescapable consequence of the absolute inability of that particular stage to remain silent. Music, commercial breaks, news flashes, adverts, news broadcasts, movies, presenters—there is no alternative but to fill the screen; otherwise there would be an irremediable void.... That’s why the slightest technical hitch, the slightest slip on the part of the presenter becomes so exciting, for it reveals the depth of the emptiness squinting out at us through this little window."
— Jean Baudrillard,Cool Memories
Who is V.S. is he a political leader or a symbol of resistance; resistance against the inhuman agendas of globalization and also against the ideological deviation of CPI(M). V.S. the Opposition leader and the Chief Minister are two individuals, two identities. Or it is just an idea constructed by the media and the pseudo-intellectuals of the day.
The Medias projected V.S as a warrior who is fighting against the decayed political ideology of the Communist Party. If this is the case the people supporting V.S., as claimed by the Medias, should have a clear political vision centred on the Communist ideology; that they have clear cut objection against Globalization.
The Medias, do they have any sentiments towards Communist ideology, no. Since they are the products of globalization they simply using the marketability of V.S. Not the ‘original’ (?) V.S. but the image, the “product”. So the impact of the long struggle conducted by V.S. is that he became an important product in the hands of consumeristic capitalism, the same thing he was fighting against. This argument is true only when we assume that V.S is actually fighting against globalization.
The man under the mask, V.S., is not fighting any battle, he need power. The bourgeois politician K. Karunakaran and V.S are not two different entities but signify the same political behaviour, the only difference is the strategy adopted by both; one with a mask and the other naked.
The book India On Television (Nalin Mehta) discusses the impact of television in Indian society. The role of media in constructing and destroying persons/ images is discussed in detail in this book.
Everywhere we are running behind images/idols. We don’t want to take risks so we construct some images and fighting for it. So the Man Under The Mask of V.S. is not V.S. but the medias itself.

India: Politics in the New Age

India
•    India is under the strategic/diplomatic cogency of the U.S. grip.
•    magnificent conferences about Indian democracy will not save the country.
•    India is a failure in International Politics, could not use its positive relations with other countries for the betterment of the nation.
•    The Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline would have been a great step towards diplomatic and financial success.
•    The movements initiated by India, for e.g. NAM was a great steps in constructing an identity of our own apart from the two power blocks, U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R. Even though after the destruction of USSR it became meaningless, we should be independent in matters concerning global issues and should always be a great help to other Asian-African countries.
•    The enmity with Pakistan and China are an issue we should tackle ourselves without the help of any foreign powers including the US.
•    For us countries like China and US should be alike; if it is helpful we should join hands with all these nations.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/the-india-cables/article1538083.ece

orachante ormakkurippukal

"When the people fear the government there is tyranny, when the government fears the people there is liberty."
— Thomas Jefferson
The book “Orachante Ormakkurippukal” is a memoir written by Prof. T.V. Eachara Warrior about his son Rajan, who died in the police cell during the Dark Periods of Emergency. It is more than a memoir; it portrays the struggle of Prof. Eachra Warrior against the government’s brutality.

The critic of Congress Party and of Indira Gandhi often cites this as an example of their anti-democratic concerns. Mrs. Gandhi was a dictator during those years.
The problem is not of Mrs. Gandhi or the Congress or Mr.Karunakaran, as the sympathisers of democracy would argue; it is the failure of democracy itself. Why the Constitution-makers included the provision of Emergency in the Constitution? They were aware of the fact that the system is inadequate in tackling serious issues. So the incident, Rajan’s death, will remain as a question mark in the history of Indian Union, more powerfully when prominent personalities like Dr. Binayak Zen is under police custody.21

A Call to Inaction: Elections in India

The Election Commission in India proclaimed election in some states recently. All the political parties are now busy with newer promises and try to influence the voters with different ways. They repeat all these activities during the election time and we, as voters, elect someone from the list. Neither the people nor the leaders tried to improve the present system of governance in the country.

It is high time to review the history of democracy and its relevance here in India. For the last few years our governments are famous for its total inefficiency in tackling problems. Whenever there is a chance to show the glory of India, for e.g., The Commonwealth Games, we are complete failure. All such events are notable for the corruptive sides rather than any positives in it. Whether the party in power is leftist, rightist, or extreme right wing the rule is the same. Communal violence, corruption, and total carelessness in matters related to human freedom and expression of independent opinions.

The question I would like to ask here is, do we need this kind of governmental set-up here? We have the right to elect the most “corrupted” politician, not the best one. Do we really have a choice to decide about our own representatives? No.
When the rulers are inefficient, when we have no better choice, the only way to show our feeling is to keep away from the democratic system itself. Away from the election process itself.
I am not against democracy as such. I am not an anarchist. I am not an anti national. But I can see the decay of the system. And I foresee the advent of a new system of representation in place of democracy. In different countries in the world including Libya, Egypt and several other nations anti-national struggles are going on. There is no such issue in India, not because of the efficiency of the system, but because of the inefficiency of the people. We are living in a comfort zone without being bothered about all these issues. A time will come to reminds us that we are too late to respond...
We can’t follow the Libyan model or the Egyptian one. So the thing we can do is to show our reaction through boycotting the election process. Our histories taught us about the divide and rule policy of the Britishers when they rule us. The same history texts talk nothing about the present day Divide and Rule policy of our own representatives. The history texts talks about the colonial judicial system which was prevalent in India. But the same texts forget to mention that our own judiciary is similar to colonial judicial set up.
Reference:
1.Wikipedia contributors. "Indian political scandals." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 2 Mar. 2011. Web. 3 Mar. 2011.
2. Communal riots in post-independence India. By Asgharali EngineerGoogle Book Search http://books.google.co.in/books?id=yB5NM0o3I9QC&lpg=PA165&ots=CeQlz8ksiL&dq=communal%20violence%20in%20post%20independent%20India&pg=PA166#v=onepage&q=communal%20violence%20in%20post%20independent%20India&f=false