When Mark Tully co-authored his first book on India, I'm told he was tempted to sign off after every 200 words. Not because he did not have enough to say, but electronic media drills into you the idea of economy of words. And it's not such a handicap when the subject you choose is a humongous country of over a billion people. Mark Tully has skillfully told the story of India in flux.
He is lucid and objective, yet sensitive to the many nuances of Indian culture and society. The problem, as he too mentioned at the outset, is that you always run the risk of saying too much or too little when you cater to an Indian and international audience simultaneously. There are passages that sound mundane and you wonder why you're reading about stuff you already know. How is the author adding value?
He begins with the debate on jugaar. Is it a talent or a drawback? Is India just muddling through despite itself? The recurring motif is the lack of governance and education, the cultural conflicts and the developmental challenges that must be overcome if India is to become the superpower it aspires to.
The topics are varied, the narrative simple. It's the voice of a sincere and seasoned journalist throughout, attributing facts and opinion, presenting views and counter views, exploring beyond the obvious. But even the best may err. The author says Kaifiat Express was named after the famous poet Kaifi Azmi. The fact is no train in India has been named after a person. Tully travels to Naxal hotbeds to understand what is being called india's biggest internal security threat. He delves into the concept of caste politics and why Indians blame the government for all their problems.
It's not a gripping story of India, but it's arguably better than what many others have attempted. Tully speaks with the authority that comes with decades of reporting and studying a region. Still, 'No Full Stops in India' remains his best.
Book: Non Stop India; Author: Mark Tully; Publisher: Penguin India; Price: Rs.499; Pages: 357
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