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Book Review of "India After Gandhi" by Ramchandra Guha

One of the most outstanding books I have ever read and is truly a "A magisterial work" - Financial Times. It gives you a whole new perspective and insight into one of the largest democracy in the world which many a westerners thought would be able to survive given the diversity of the nation in each and every field be it religion, language, caste,culture, tradition... which has been appropriately put by a western observer "A German guy has more in common with a British then a Punjabi with a Tamilian and given these differences its difficult to say that India will remain as one by the end of the first decade since Independence".

About the Authors work he has done phenomenal work with all the details researched precisely and put together for the events that took place since Independence. The level of details which the author gives for the events is outstanding and gives deep insights into the mentality of the parties involved be it the government or the public or any other external party.

One of the things that stand out most to you when you read is the Vision, Determination and Hard work of our forefathers for their motherland. Out of these, 3 names stand tall and shine apart which are Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (First Prime Minister of Independent India), Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (First Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Independent India), and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar(Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee and the First Law Minister of Independent India). Pandit Nehru's determination and hard work to keep the country secular and together, Sardar Patel's efforts to get the princely states to integrate into one nation and Dr. Ambedkar's vision with which he drafted the constitution which provided the flexibility for the nation with such differences to live and work together as one nation.

As you read the book you realize that India too had its fair share of disturbances and problems but at the end the unity and secular nature of the country prevail and you marvel and are filled with admiration for your country INDIA.

Jai Hind 

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