India is the largest democracy of the world, and its many faces
are amazing to many. There is unity, capability, leadership, progress and what not, in spite of the various diversities. The author shows as to how India manages the opposites, balances the differences, what it stands for, and what we can learn from it. The author considers various aspects of this country from his own point of view, in eleven Chapters, covering widely varying topics from the cities of Puri, Delhi, Raipur, Khajuraho, Gurgaon, Darjeeling, Varanasi etc. He shares his initial experiences of the English rule, and subsequently of the Indian traditions. He shows many Indian traditions and culture, from the various corners of the country, comparing the same with the lives in England.
In one of the Chapters entitled Khajuraho: The Sensual and the sacred, the author narrates about his visits to this small town in Madhya Pradesh. It is famous for temples built about 800 years ago, having on their outside, erotic carvings. These are made of sand stone, perfectly balanced without cement or mortar. The carvings depict many positions, in which it is possible to have sex. The beauty of the carvings is to be seen, to be believed, but some of the carvings shock some of the visitors. It is not known as to why, temples and sex have been combined here. How could the two go together? He compares these views with celibacy, chastity etc. Some take it that sex is evil or a sin. According to the author, the sexuality should be a middle path, i.e. neither old repressive one, nor the so called modern freedom, the latter said to be liberating women, but actually exploiting them and causing their suffering. India is the country of Kama-Sutra, which also tells about the behavior. Some visitors to Khajuraho wonder, as to what exactly is the message being communicated to them. There are different interpretations, like their being Yoga practices, beginning of a stage of life etc. Sex should not be suppressed nor taken as recreation, since it has high
significance. The author describes the beliefs, about Lord Shiva and Parwati and their union. He says that in the Indian tradition, there are several examples of combination of sacred and sensual. He gives example of Tantra, in which one has to overcome the fear of anything, including that of sex, which is refined, and with rules and discipline. He also discusses the different opinions in India about Kissing, the tradition of sexual abstinence followed by Mahatma Gandhi, views about Ram and Sita and their relationship, women having a subordinate role, balancing male and female with respect for both etc.
In his opinion, India is changing very fast, and its economic growth has improved the matters like
environment, education, management, democracy etc., which are being tackled effectively, growing substantially on all fronts, and that day is not far off when it will be with America, as an influential country in the world. Its future is sound, which will be based on, a proper balance of materialism as well as spiritualism. Contents, Acknowledgements, Further reading, Index, About the book and About the author have been provided, at appropriate places in the book. Further reading gives a list of 77 references. It is a fascinating book, about a fascinating and colourful country. Once started one would not like to leave it, till completed. It is an excellent book, for all persons to read.