are a sad reality in modern day India and at such a time, a reminder of our rich and, if you go by Sen’s words, a “more tolerant” past, is a good thing. Corruption, violence against women and children, communal violence, poverty etc. The Argumentative Indian is a necessity in today’s times. His language may be a little difficult to read sometimes, but the richness of words is perhaps important to state the heavy arguments that he presents. His essays are concise, well divided into various sub-categories and remain to the point. He refers to India’s past during the reign of emperors like Ashoka and Akbar. He even quotes foreign scholars and Indian epics and the ancient Vedas. Sen compliments his words with those of other worthies like Nehru, Gandhi, Tagore etc. It puts India in perspective with the world, referring to various foreign opinions on India, both good and bad. It doesn’t boast about the traditions and morals of India, but gives a scholarly, unbiased perspective on what India stood for in the past and what it stands for today. The book is a combination of intellect and humility. Thus, it might be safe to say, the arguments about India in this book come from a highly intellectual and credible academician, someone whose opinions are worth paying attention to. He has taught in various prestigious institutes like Oxford, Harvard, MIT and London School of Economics.

A Nobel Laureate in Economics, he is also a recipient of the Bharat Ratna in India and the National Humanities Medal in the USA. Was India’s diversity always a dividing force or did it once unify us? Is atheism as old a concept as religion in Indian society? Is the current argument of India being a Hindu country true? This book provides some staggering answers.Īmartya Sen’s credentials are no secret. Sen addresses certain hard hitting questions. The Argumentative Indian is a set of essays divided into four different parts, dealing with different aspects of India its voice, culture, politics and reason.

The Argumentative Indian by Amartya Sen is a rethink for every Indian, on his present (sometimes mistaken) impressions of his history, culture and identity.Īrguments shape public reasoning.

The argumentative india