Book Review: What Young India Wants
Chetan Bhagat, that cheeky chronicler of young India, is back with a compilation of essays and columns and it is titled…What Young India Wants. That sexy SEO-friendly title is sure to get marketers in a tizzy because it pretty much states that Bhagat is about to unlock the secrets of our hopes, desires, dreams and ambitions.
We had hopes for this book, reader. We really did. And even though we didn’t care much for his last book, a fictional novel called Revolution 2020 about our corruption conundrum, we are eternally grateful to the Bhagat machine; that review remains one of this site’s most read posts. Now, with this foray into non-fiction, his first, he showcases his spectacular ability to graze and skim the surface of many a subject (as seen, no doubt, by his countless fans in his weekly columns for The Times of India from where most of these essays have been pulled and air-brushed with minor copy changes).
It is here through sections on society, politics and the youth that Bhagat gives us his opinion on the current state of things, though the book is really less an investigation into what the young ’uns of India want, and more a loosely gathered compendium of Bhagat-isms. That is, wisdom dispensed in the form of chapters that cover everything from education and terrorism to wealth and happiness, with each titled jauntily enough—“Ready For A Spring Cleaning?” goes one; “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” is another—to suggest India’s problems can be wiped out with just a bit of can-do cheeriness and peppering of platitudes.
Details, shmetails. Bhagat clearly could not be bothered to delve beneath the surface, and such is the beauty of his fast-flowing ruminations—that most politicians are greedy scums of the earth for instance or that our education system needs a serious overhaul—that they reflect popular sentiment broadly enough to elicit a “me too!” reaction from his readership. In short, if you’re hoping for depth of analysis, we suggest you look elsewhere. With each essay at a page and a half (or two, at the most), there is scant room for exploration of cause and reason, let alone suggesting a logical and viable solution.
Of course, Bhagat doesn’t shy away from offering panaceas of his own curious and callow making. Of the murky dealings between pols and corporates, he states grandly “Our laws need to be amended for corporate disasters” and that “politician-industrialist socialising should not be encouraged”. He is right, of course, but crucially, the how is conveniently missing, the details presumably left to the policy think tanks and wonks that he derides for thinking rather than doing.
The back cover of the book, however, promises answers to such questions as “Why do our students regularly commit suicide?” (the question itself a grammatical non sequitur), and “Why is there so much corruption in India?”, suggesting a decidedly Freakonomics approach to decoding some of modern India’s most perplexing and worrisome issues. But this is not even economics-lite, it’s Bhagat-lite, which is to say, an unnervingly flat offering from a writer whose hallmark is remaining firmly on the surface.
What Young India Wants by Chetan Bhagat, Rupa, Rs140. Buy it from Flipkart.com.
Tags: book reviews, Books, Chetan Bhagat, What Young India WantsComments (87)
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awesome book
I love reading the book …………….. every words, lines, sentences, paragraphs has its own values and points.
i am not agree with c.b. that many govt premises in Delhi should be sold off and new residence colony should be built at gudgaon.(i am sure other common wealth GOTALAA is sure to be happened)
and moneyof would be used for development.
MR. C.B. is it possible ????????
this money from disinvestment will go to Swiss bank. so let the govt building there only till good time come (i think it will not come !!!)
I am confused for myself that have I understood the messages that bhagat wants to be known by his readers in their every attempts………… so to make incomplete lessons to complete I am going to read Three mistakes of my life…….. lastly Rupa publications is doing a good job by making a inspirer rather than a writter to rise …….. Chetan’s been a crucial inspirer in my life….. Why am i not finishing my comment?
I am yet to buy CB’s latest book. I have read his other five books. I enjoyed reading them. I found them entertaining and at the same time i know the real messages his books convey. His writings are so simple that many younger generations like me can understand and enjoy reading.
if every Indian youth or budas (old) rise to the level of what CB wants to be, sadly his place would be no where as people will be wiser enough to judge that how hypocrite he is. If really his intentions were true, he could have written it earlier before he achieves this much fame and money. He made moolas by writing craps like one night at– and revolution 2020 and mis led average young Indians and created his own comfort zone and now wants to go for some changes as he himself is bored of telling his autobiography repeatedly and started writing this in the name of awakening the youth. Of course this book in question is a good moral reading for high school syllabus. More over his writing style and content of novels are largely inspired by harry potter series and the ananya in 2 states is his own form of hermione granger. So those who well read, he is a crap and may be those just started reading through him, he is a genius. A writer or a book will always judged differently by the intellectual levels of different people. So every one’s comments here are always welcome.
Many of you may hate CB but the thing is, his books sales are danm good and that proves him to be a good writer. According to me he is ‘THE VOICE OF INDIA’ because everybody can understand his writings.
CB came wid ofcrs a new thinkng wt the current genrn wnts bt nt right to cl him voice of india…writng abt politics nd generation of tday arundhati’s writings r much btr…i think language nd gramr of CB r cmprhnsiv fr high schul guys bt fr graduation studnts nt so impresiv
a must read book !!!!
nice book every indian should read it
every indian should take responsibility
india is facing corruption as the major problem
politians must realise it must
I think this book is awesome. Well we all know that Chetan Bhagat has written many such good books but this one is just out of the way. He has brought so many points to our knowledge. Actually we also have those questions in our minds but are not able to find solution or answer to it. One thing that always comes to my mind also is “Does our vote make any difference at all? We all vote when the government wants with the trust that they would do something for us, but look at our country today. In this book he has discussed many such problems and has given his solutions from his point of view. He also asked us if we have any better ones. So this is a must read book for all.
This book is very nice and has tried to bring some revolution in India. I think the youth today should read
this book and then they will know their responsibility towards their country. If each and every person
does their bit towards the growth of the country then would surely bring revolution in the country. This
book will give you the real picture of our country in the present day and some changes to make it a
better one.
This book is the mastre piece by chetan .It tells about the desires of young indians.This book lack some motive of bhagat what he want to convey the reader by RAHUL SUNDRAM SMVDU( katra )
Reply to PK (PK | August 10, 2012 at 12:37 pm )
Lot of people started the habit of reading after Chetan Bhagat started writting, its not becuase he has written something brilliant that other big writters, its becuase he writes it in such a way that even the first time reader can understand what he is trying to convey.
and I think that is more important when you write, reader should be able to relate his life to what he is reading and thats the success of Chetan Bhagat. But still am not saying he is better than everyone else, but am saying that he is Good.
HaHa !
This freaking chain of comments is more fun to read than his book. If someone doesn’t like his books, you’ve absolutely no authority to force others not to read or leave inappropriate remarks. But then whosoever are writing that they don’t like it – well, just an expression of opinion. Well Accepted.
I believe he is more a salesperson who knows what he needs to write in order to sell to youth. And he is good at it. He is making good money. Why don’t you concentrate more on your work and make money too. Cheers
To all those who do’nt like CB… keep your opinions to your self.
What people need to understand is that all books are not meant to have great insight and all that. Some books are just suppose to be fun to read, and CB offers just that.
If you dont like it. Then you dont need to read it
To,
The writer of this review
Where the hell was the review?! The only thing I got from this read was what’s inside the book and how your thoughts contradict with the author of the book. I am not a fan of CB’s books but at least, you should have given a honest opinion of whether the book’s bad or not. Not like that you could have had written the book better than him.
I have not read this book .,will try to buy this today .But i would like to say that CB had made a good impact on young Indian by taking them to the world of reading which was dying amonmg our youth .Only he was ablr to make a major change among the youth ., and i know many of them have started reading the books with his and moving later to Salman Rushdie,Paulo Coelho n all.,.,.,. Yes he is an entertainer .But he was needed for Young Indian .
Grt Chetan ., u r doing a grt job.
@Karma- If u think CB is not a good writer and those who reads his books are *bloody indians then we are proud being it…atleast v r not like you, who always keep pointing others unnecessary & doing nothing for a good cause.. CB is not forcing u to like his novels or make comments or be his fans.. its people like us who likes his writing and wants to supports him…so pls think twice b4 comment anything.
To the person who wrote “…n 2 ol doz hu hate CB,..tz so simple,dont read his bookz ,.bt dont make unnecessary comments!!” in a comment:
This is a very good reason you should either (1) start reading good books or (2) stop using the English language altogether. What in the name of hell does that gibberish even translate to!
No point of reading the book of the one whose mind is full of lusty thoughts.
Worked for me..i’m never going to bribe a cop ever again.
hav u ever read REV2020 spending some of ur time???????@ utkarsh…
Other than Five Point Someone, name any Chetan Bhagat book which is well written, gives a little good story, and a good erection……
i would rather spend my preciuos time reading tinkle CB waste of time money n patience….
CB is not surly one among those leaders who never dream to live in developed India rather to be in a room with golden door.
As a point less argument he no need to follow a bunch of grammar rules to be followed to express his ideas or articulate his opnion on the land and surroundings he is living and felling. And with his writings he just trying to influence a group of few who really care who they are and what they are.
Just try to read the book if u enjoy suggest some one to read or throw it off. Nobody cares.
Yes, every one along with me proved … Indians no need logics we just need magics
hi guys i agree vil u that its entertaining nd even his books has terned in movies nd fr tht v cant cal him the ‘voice of india’ anythng lik tht thre r many authors bettr than him in our country bt nt popular as him………….
Chetan bhagat…. This book has a Buzz in it for the Indian youths … I want every youth should read it … Not the Budda Indians (old peoples) to read it because it won’t suit them… Fresh and true facts has been described… !!
Any well read person would suggest that CB’s writings have NO literary value. And to all my well read friends here, why waste our time making shitty people understand that CB writes shit? These kind of people love it, let them bather, eat and sleep with the shit in their lives. Some wise man has said “Never argue with an Idiot……”
CB is the most over rated writer in recent times! He doesn’t even have the correct grammar skills! And seeing people go gaga over his shittier than the previous books is just hopelessly sad!
wisdom cant be expected out of him .he is a coffee table author.if u wanna read on any of the contemporary socio/political/economic issues read sashi tharoor arundhati roy etc.cb’s style of entertaining is also dry actually the average indian isnt well read or well aware to appreciate the serious authors in english. the essays in that book are of high school level.graduation students should not touch it.
@Shivani Thanks for coming to this forum and admitting that you’re a CB fan. Your lack of humor is evident. And it is for dour, thin-skinned, humor-less Indians* like you that CB writes.
*In other words, the typical bloody Indian.
too low on expectations!!:(
doesn’t even delve enough into any particular issues facing the country…a total on the surface story…thoroughly disappointed:(
hi,
i have penned a piece of advise for chetan bhagat.
he must punch into google search PERCEPTION AND RELATIVITY- VADAKAYIL
capt ajit vadakayil
..
whatever people! he entertains thats enough for me.
fan-talk and inspiration apart, a much real portrayal of issues in india is put up in Mark Tully’s India in slow motion..
Its easy to talk about things thats what we all do, but coming with a plan of action is tough.
We are already plagued with shallow thinking, we do not need more shallow reading to misguide us.
Shaahi: It’s pretty incredible that you can spell ‘unnecessary’ but not ‘all’.
As for the rest of you praising Chetan Bhagat, I have one question – how do you take someone seriously who suggests we outsource India’s border protection to the US?
A little depth of thought when writing the book, wouldn’t have hurt, but then again, that would be too much effort, right?
Chetan’s “What Young India Want” is so inspirational. Its a feel that every Indian has with in him, And i appreciate someone has the guts in penning down and making it visible for everyone. The book made clear Corruption Ethics.. Etc is not only with the politicians and every individual has in Him. Correct yourself and Point others. Thanks… “Jai Hind”.
Regards…
Praveen Ram
If anybody wants to understand India, this book can help the reader. Written in very lucid style, Chetan Bhagat throws light on some of the most important issues India is facing today. I think that the book should be prescribed by all Indian universities in their syllabus and should be translated in all regional languages. A powerful portrayal of present day India…
What Young India Wants aside, what Young India really Needs is a crash course in English grammar and spelling.
CB’s works r so spl,close 2 owa heart,..He speaks as a mere commoner.His langu is digestable 2 ol..luv u CB,…
n 2 ol doz hu hate CB,..tz so simple,dont read his bookz ,.bt dont make unnecessary comments!!
pK and Sam …please do not try to judge him.let that be done by the readers.and why do you care about things after 50 years.
atleast he gave us the movie & idea of 3 idiots ….if you are aware of it.it is sure that the movie will be remember for 50 years.
just read n have entertainment.
Sam,can you please put some more light on your above point to clarify above remark??
Its enough for CB to prove for himself, his writing are entertaining magical and simple.. Read n enjoy..
Writing is his passion so he writes..
Reading is passion for one, he/she reads.. Enjoy..
afterall he is a IIT’an and he can’t just sacrifice all that struggle, pain and dedication just for bluffing…:)
A must read for every young Indian, very well presented.
Shivani, There are enough people praising CB more than he deserves and hence PK is not wrong in being impolite.
The fact remains he is shallow and I am sure his writings will not stand the test of time…. he can be a good entertainer as of today but 50 years later the existing books will likely have zero readership.
So limited point is you can call his writing entertaining but not “great insights” – thats wrong for sure.
what young indian wants is a good topic.
wastage of time and money
FOR PK …Being one of CB’S fans,ofcourse i dont appreciate u much …but being very polite …i want to suggest u to plz be genuine abt what u write….crores of indians who read CB are not foolish……u might not like him…so critisize him…..hate him…but atleast be polite…
“Thinker” who “with great insight… analyses some of the complex issues facing modern India” – says his publisher, the equally crappy, Rupa.
But you know, sometimes I can’t even blame him, because the ones to be blamed are the people who actually buy his books, read them, and call themselves, Well Read.
I feel sorry, real pity for us, because today he sells more than most, and has the audacity to share the stage with authors like Kureishi and Khaled Hosseini and call himself as the “Voice of India”. #shootsself