A wave of new generation Indian writers is deluging Indian readers. Each one claims to offer a unique insight into 'their' world. So if it was the self-lived IIT life that introduced Chetan Bhagat to success, Anuja Chauhan's popular book ' Battle for Bittora' claims to offer readers a behind the curtains look into the dirty world of Indian politics. Chauhan should know about politics, being the daughter-in-law of veteran Congress leader Margaret Alva.
'Battle for Bittora' is set against the backdrop of India's largest exercise in wasteful expense : Lok Sabha elections. The main protagonist, Sarojini Pande is forced to stand for elections by her pushy 3 times MP grandmother who has ambitions of keeping the Lok Sabha Bittora seat in the family. Sarojini standing on a Pragati Party (fictionalized Congress) ticket is pitted against her childhood friend turned lover Zain Altaf Khan who is contesting on an IJP (fictionalized BJP) ticket. The preparations for the election and what happens behind the scenes is what forms the crux of this book. Reading the acknowledgements at the end, you know 'Battle for Bittora' draws heavily from Chauhan's personal life with most of the setting being a snapshot of Chauhan's own upbringing and childhood. Peppered with real life incidents with a liberal take on politicians (you'll know who all are being talked about in each instance) and actors ('Salmon Khan'), Chauhan's breezy writing style does elicit occasional laughs from you.
Whilst Sarojini Pande's character is shown to be a weakling who comes into her own as the story progresses, other characters are not half as well developed. Some of them are caricatures of politicians' side kicks we see on TV. In my opinion, the overall plot is immature and unreal. Written in Hinglish, the book is clearly intended for an Indian audience only as there are no footnotes for meanings of Hindi words, or explanations of cultural references which an international audience would need. Overused cliches, poor editing and rose tinted glass views of a very complicated Indian political system strike this book off a serious readers' reading list. Considering the book has been hailed as good 'time pass' fare, movie rights for the book have been purchased. I suggest you wait and spend money on the popcorn then rather than buy the book now.
'Battle for Bittora' is set against the backdrop of India's largest exercise in wasteful expense : Lok Sabha elections. The main protagonist, Sarojini Pande is forced to stand for elections by her pushy 3 times MP grandmother who has ambitions of keeping the Lok Sabha Bittora seat in the family. Sarojini standing on a Pragati Party (fictionalized Congress) ticket is pitted against her childhood friend turned lover Zain Altaf Khan who is contesting on an IJP (fictionalized BJP) ticket. The preparations for the election and what happens behind the scenes is what forms the crux of this book. Reading the acknowledgements at the end, you know 'Battle for Bittora' draws heavily from Chauhan's personal life with most of the setting being a snapshot of Chauhan's own upbringing and childhood. Peppered with real life incidents with a liberal take on politicians (you'll know who all are being talked about in each instance) and actors ('Salmon Khan'), Chauhan's breezy writing style does elicit occasional laughs from you.
Whilst Sarojini Pande's character is shown to be a weakling who comes into her own as the story progresses, other characters are not half as well developed. Some of them are caricatures of politicians' side kicks we see on TV. In my opinion, the overall plot is immature and unreal. Written in Hinglish, the book is clearly intended for an Indian audience only as there are no footnotes for meanings of Hindi words, or explanations of cultural references which an international audience would need. Overused cliches, poor editing and rose tinted glass views of a very complicated Indian political system strike this book off a serious readers' reading list. Considering the book has been hailed as good 'time pass' fare, movie rights for the book have been purchased. I suggest you wait and spend money on the popcorn then rather than buy the book now.
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