Book Review: We Indians by Khushwant Singh

I remember the time when I first saw one of Khushwant Singh’s books in my childhood. It was a blue book of jokes which I reckon was on one of the bookshelves in my house, although I do not remember reading the book.

Today I finished reading We Indians.  I found really interesting as it is about Khushwant Singh’s personal observation about the society he lives in. Published in 1982 the author analyzes the good and bad character of Indians. In the very first chapter he tries to explain who really Indians are. He adds: “The only group in or midst who had some reservations about being Indian were the Muslims”. He explains his reasons for thinking so.

The second chapter highlights the effects of religion on Indians. He considers them possessing desire for self-praise, sycophancy (worship of the successful), character assassination of others, love for wealth, being envious and claiming to be know-all. Singh opines that a new concept of work-based religion should be evolved otherwise religion is going to deteriorate people’s growth. In addition he is in favor of giving a modern reorientation to religion.

Moreover the author has included a chapter titled ‘The Women of India’. In this chapter he writes about the history of the social life of Indian women. Beginning from matriarchy in India he describes how things change at a later stage. Singh narrates how Suttee got introduced and was later outlawed during the British Raj in 1829 by Viceroy Lord William Bentinck. In the same chapter he praises Nehru’s role in the advancement of women in India.

While addressing the problem of corruption Singh suggests that laws are not enough to counter corruption. Instead social values have to change and society has a major part to play in this change. Further in the book he quotes Voltaire: “Corruption grows respectable with age”. Moving on the author writes a separate chapter on prohibition. He traces the history of prohibition in India and concludes by making an argument against prohibition in India.

In the concluding chapters of the book Singh writes about the debate regarding English in India. He says that he feels more comfortable in using English. Another chapter reflects on the British advantages and disadvantages for the people of India. He presents the viewpoints of the Indians and that of the British.

The last chapter discusses the international relations between India and the U.S. The author comments on political issues such as state relations, such as that of Indo- Pak, Indo-China, Soviet Union and the U.S. He stresses on the need to bridge the gap between India and U.S as India needs more help from U.S than vice versa.