Making India Awesome: New Essays and Columns

Chetan Bhagat launches second political non fiction ‘Making India Awesome’

Making India Awesome: New Essays and Columns  

Topics related to disruptions in Parliament, democratic deadlock and poignant questions of what can be done to make the country become better marked the launch of the second non fiction by Chetan Bhagat here today.

In ‘Making India Awesome’ the eight book so far by Chetan Bhagat, the author attempts to analyse and provides inspired solutions to the country’s most intractable problems u2014 poverty, unemployment, corruption, violence against women, communal violence, religious fundamentalism and illiteracy.

Chetan Bhagat roped in politicians Baijayant Panda (BJD), Milind Deora (Congress) and Shaina NC from the ruling BJP into a panel discussion, which began with a deliberation on the increase of polarisation of the society.

While Jay Panda pointed to the need of systemic rules and changes to ensure the smooth running of Parliament, Deora suggested making Parliamentary performance an electoral issue to ensure a mature form of democracy.

Shania and Deora took potshots about which party, the Congress or the BJP had played a greater role in disrupting Parliament and not letting it function.

Chetan Bhagat asked each of them on what made them tick in their chosen profession and how they changed in their personal journeys.

Jay Panda talked about coming from a non political background and getting involved in weekend activism and entry finally into mainstream journalism. Shania talked about gender stereotypes working against her, a fashion designer and social activist getting into politics. Deora spoke about how he was written off for playing the guitar.

Describing the making of his second book Bhagat called it a “crazy time”.

“It has been a crazy time for me the last few years. I am not the best author but the best selling author and if that is ok with my publisher and that is ok with me. It is a great place to be,” Bhagat said.

The author who recently was judge on the popular dance reality show “Nach Baliye” said he participated in reality shows, and did other things like dancing all with a view to reach out to a larger number of people.

“…I do it for a reason I do it reach my country reach people and hopefully they will pick up and read my colums…. that is what has happened actually.

“…what keeps me going is trying to be the voice that makes a difference in really help in making a better society and a better country,” Bhagat said.

Bhagat’s second non fiction comes three years after his first book, “What India wants” a collection of essays and columns.

“We have seen a lot in these 3 years. We saw a lot of protests, created a new political party. We have a new Chief Minister in the state, a new Prime Minister in the country yet things are not changing as much as we thought…” Bhagat said.