Avay Shukla

This is my favorite of the three books I have read by Avay Shukla. Like the other two (India: The Wasted Years and Disappearing Democracy), it is a compilation of blog posts recalling his time in the Indian Civil Service. The book has plenty of humor, and he does not hesitate to poke fun at himself.
The outstanding story, for me, is the one about Shukla Ji, who - despite no support - set up a school in a cave. Later, the authorities created a proper school, but Shukla ji did not receive an award or recognition. I believe people like Shukla Ji give hope and are beacons for us to follow. I am glad he honored him with his story.

The title story is fun and contains a few genuine words of wisdom.

Read the book. Have fun!… (altro)

I prefer this book, "Disappearing Democracy," to his earlier book, "India: The Wasted Years." In the interim, Avay Shukla's writing style seems to have developed: he now employs ironic humor to illustrate his point. Again, you will detest the book if you support the current government. We live in a polarized world.
Yet, the book is worth reading (even though it reads like a doomsday prophecy) because we need to be aware of the dangers of continuing down our current path.

Read the book and make up your own mind.… (altro)

Avay Shukla's book is a series of blog posts. The posts follow a chronological order, even though the author has arranged them thematically. If you are a critic of the current BJP government, you will love this book. If you support the current BJP government, you may detest the book.
The writing is good, lucid, and readable. It may be useful for historians who wish to study this period. While Avay Shukla has supported his arguments with data, the book suffers from a flaw: it is wholly negative. It might have been better if he had written a more nuanced book. No one is all good or bad. We live in a world with many shades of gray.… (altro)