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India Positive: New Essays and Selected Columns
Does it make any difference to the ordinary citizen which party is in power? Whether it’s a majority or a coalition? What can we do to better job prospects for India’s youth? How can we create a more equal society? How do we create more world-class educational institutes? What can we do about social media warriors and trolls? In India Positive , bestselling author and columnist Chetan Bhagat brings together essays that work as a manifesto for change. Examining a gamut of subjects―from education to employment, from GST to infrastructure, from corruption to casteism―Bhagat reflects on what we can do right in order to move forward and become a truly modern, progressive country. He expresses in these pages his belief that, if we want to see reform, we―as citizens―need to be the solution. If our country is to shine, Bhagat says, we need to stand up and be ‘India Positive Citizens’. In a world ridden with negativity, these simply written, perceptive and solution-driven essays are a must-read for anyone invested in the present and future of India.
- GenresNonfictionEssaysIndia
224 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2019
79 people are currently reading
314 people want to read
About the author
Chetan Bhagat
39 books5,532 followersChetan Bhagat writes op-ed columns for English and Hindi newspapers, including Times of India and Dainik Bhaskar, focusing on youth and issues based on national development. Bhagat is also a motivational speaker and has given talks in leading MNCs and other institutions. He quit his international investment banking career in 2009, to devote his entire time to writing. In 2008, The New York Times called Bhagat "the biggest selling English language novelist in India’s history". Bhagat, a graduate of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad, is seen more as a youth icon than as an author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 16, 2019
In one essay ,the author writes "If we didn't have caste-based reservations,caste wouldn't be so relevant on campus.It would soon become a non-issue." It takes guts to publish a book of essays on Indian society and politics without any idea about society or politics. In a way, the author's novels are better : they are merely trash while his non-fiction is unadulterated poison.
May 12, 2019
A really good collection of well-balanced essays on India's politics, society and economics.
January 19, 2022
As per the author, the book is a collection of essays that provide “simple takes on India’s burning issues”. Actually, the essays are quite simplistic.
Bhagat does address burning issues and complex challenges but he just provides unidimensional analysis ignoring the intricate realities. He tries very hard to appear politically neutral but one can clearly sense an underlying theme of shielding the government by putting the onus of solving all problems on the society and citizens. The book suggests that instead of “spreading negativity”, one should focus on improving themselves, which is just a euphemism for “don’t criticise the government”. However, it would be wrong to conclude that the book is purely partisan. There is an effort to present solution-oriented perspectives. But, it is for the reader to judge how useful these solutions actually are.
September 10, 2019
Read it if you want different perspectives of looking at issues India is facing. Burning issues are discussed with objective or bi-partisan views. Essays are good and quite informative.
I would rather say it is a perspective building book which inspires one to look at issues as they are and not with the lens of their supported political party.
Hope you will read it.
I would rather say it is a perspective building book which inspires one to look at issues as they are and not with the lens of their supported political party.
Hope you will read it.
April 12, 2020
Chetan Bhagat has articled about the issues that India has faced like riots, economic falldown, poverty, corruption, bankrupcy, border issues etc from 2014 to 2019(which are being faced now too!). These problems that we were or are facing is being described, justified and solutioned in an impressive and rhetoric manner. He hasn't discriminated any one with respect to their political party, state,age or the position and has tried to criticize each and everyone who were reason behind the backlog or loss that occured in the country.
Rating:5/5.
November 19, 2019
I enjoyed reading this book. It offers a 'different' perspective. We usually get either an elitist-liberal side or a religious-fanatic side. Chetan Bhagat stands somewhere in the between, but not exactly without biases.
For example, if we read Shashi Tharoor we get an objective viewpoint of issues, but all of us know by advance that a major solution he suggests is to not vote for BJP and change government next time, along with calling for reforms. But with Chetan Bhagat, his true intentions are unknown,with many subtle hints giving his biases away.
Chetan Bhagat writes as if changing BJP govt is not worth the trouble since opposition is weak,inefficient and corrupt. He meticulously points out the areas where BJP has to change, but completely ignores the opposition.Its as if saying Modi is the one with whom we are going to be stuck with for a very long time, we might as well learn to live with him.
I liked many of the suggestions proposed by the author. I mean, how can we argue that citizens also need to act and change individually,instead of being entirely dependent on the govt for reforms. But areas where he equated socialism to privilege and tried to whitewash that Bhakts in social-media are not state funded felt a bit too cringe-worthy for me. He confesses he prefers healthy capitalism over pseudo socialism and that he is a great fan of Mark Zuckerberg( I wonder if the author is aware of the privacy violations and manipulations on political campaigns controversies over Facebook).
Again the author conveniently omits wastage of 3k crores approx by BJP govt on statue of unity. He makes it sound as though religious fanaticism and authoritarianism are the only major evils of BJP. But if corruption is looting of tax payers money, how is the redirection of tax money to reforms and infrastructure solely for the purpose of spreading BJP party ideologies and symbols further not a loot?
For example, if we read Shashi Tharoor we get an objective viewpoint of issues, but all of us know by advance that a major solution he suggests is to not vote for BJP and change government next time, along with calling for reforms. But with Chetan Bhagat, his true intentions are unknown,with many subtle hints giving his biases away.
Chetan Bhagat writes as if changing BJP govt is not worth the trouble since opposition is weak,inefficient and corrupt. He meticulously points out the areas where BJP has to change, but completely ignores the opposition.Its as if saying Modi is the one with whom we are going to be stuck with for a very long time, we might as well learn to live with him.
I liked many of the suggestions proposed by the author. I mean, how can we argue that citizens also need to act and change individually,instead of being entirely dependent on the govt for reforms. But areas where he equated socialism to privilege and tried to whitewash that Bhakts in social-media are not state funded felt a bit too cringe-worthy for me. He confesses he prefers healthy capitalism over pseudo socialism and that he is a great fan of Mark Zuckerberg( I wonder if the author is aware of the privacy violations and manipulations on political campaigns controversies over Facebook).
Again the author conveniently omits wastage of 3k crores approx by BJP govt on statue of unity. He makes it sound as though religious fanaticism and authoritarianism are the only major evils of BJP. But if corruption is looting of tax payers money, how is the redirection of tax money to reforms and infrastructure solely for the purpose of spreading BJP party ideologies and symbols further not a loot?
June 5, 2020
I’ve never read CB apart from first page of “2 States” in school library which I absolutely hated. I wonder what that book was doing in a children’s library? Anyhow.
I never read love stories but given the amount of fame this author has garnered over years, I thought about giving his nonfiction and so called “essays” a shot. I have this poor habit where I can’t leave a book, no matter how boring or irrelevant it is but CB helped me in breaking that habit. I literally skimmed through some chapters. Since I keep myself abreast with current affairs, this book feels like articles written by 13 year old who is unclear about the ground reality but still wants everything to go well and hopes it will. Not even a single chapter gives a concrete solution, everything is repetitive and ambiguous, language is okay-ish and a choice of issues was good.
Everyone has opinions no matter how stupid the opinions are, they are entitled to have them. It’s just by the virtue of his approach and popularity that CB published them into a full fledged book. This one star is for the hard work he’s put in and the patriotism and hope that reflected in the book throughout. Otherwise, this book can offer you nothing solid.
If you waste your time on social media, don’t like to study, don’t read newspaper, don’t know anything serious happening around, this book can give you brief introduction about much of it and at least, “you” won’t feel like “wasting time” as I did.
P.S.- Since much has happened since this book was written, many chapters can be termed as outdated, absolutely.
I never read love stories but given the amount of fame this author has garnered over years, I thought about giving his nonfiction and so called “essays” a shot. I have this poor habit where I can’t leave a book, no matter how boring or irrelevant it is but CB helped me in breaking that habit. I literally skimmed through some chapters. Since I keep myself abreast with current affairs, this book feels like articles written by 13 year old who is unclear about the ground reality but still wants everything to go well and hopes it will. Not even a single chapter gives a concrete solution, everything is repetitive and ambiguous, language is okay-ish and a choice of issues was good.
Everyone has opinions no matter how stupid the opinions are, they are entitled to have them. It’s just by the virtue of his approach and popularity that CB published them into a full fledged book. This one star is for the hard work he’s put in and the patriotism and hope that reflected in the book throughout. Otherwise, this book can offer you nothing solid.
If you waste your time on social media, don’t like to study, don’t read newspaper, don’t know anything serious happening around, this book can give you brief introduction about much of it and at least, “you” won’t feel like “wasting time” as I did.
P.S.- Since much has happened since this book was written, many chapters can be termed as outdated, absolutely.
December 19, 2019
INDIA POSITIVE by Chetan Bhagat a must read for all those who only know to complain about the government, the system. An interesting analysis of the governance in India over the last decade. For a country ten years is to small a time to expect drastic change, but as individuals ten years is a lot of time, that cannot be wasted by relying upon the government to function as per individual requirements, cause that's what happens in India, everyone has an expert opinion over the policy making, but that's not possible. Citizens need to do more than just voting and then expect the government to do the rest, citizens need enable the change they want to see, for which they need to bring in the change within themselves first. Easy said than done, but well it's not impossible if we are India Positive. #BookLovers #LoveToRead
November 14, 2019
Gives all stakeholders Right Eye to see things
Statements that caught my attention were recorded here:
Celebrating murder coz victim had opposite ideology is bad. But condemning murders only when the victim’s ideology matches yours is also bad
mix a bit of good with the bad, and you can get away with it
When both sides behave stupidly, it is best just to watch
attack your political opponent, but don’t harm the country
Money and power mix well
For the BJP, the lesson is simple—more Vajpayee and less Advani, please
in a country ruled with a gun, the opposition has to behave like a terrorist group too
Air India is not the Indian Air Force
By definition, politics is inclusive. But excellence demands some exclusivity
They love ‘complicated’. It gives them another conference to attend
Statements that caught my attention were recorded here:
Celebrating murder coz victim had opposite ideology is bad. But condemning murders only when the victim’s ideology matches yours is also bad
mix a bit of good with the bad, and you can get away with it
When both sides behave stupidly, it is best just to watch
attack your political opponent, but don’t harm the country
Money and power mix well
For the BJP, the lesson is simple—more Vajpayee and less Advani, please
in a country ruled with a gun, the opposition has to behave like a terrorist group too
Air India is not the Indian Air Force
By definition, politics is inclusive. But excellence demands some exclusivity
They love ‘complicated’. It gives them another conference to attend
April 14, 2021
ndia Positive is the third non-fiction book of Chetan Bhagat. His other non-fiction books include What Young India Wants and Making India Awesome. You can find a list of all Chetan Bhagat books here.
Coming to Chetan Bhagat’s latest book India Positive, it is a collection of essays and columns which focuses on the burning issues of India. Chetan Bhagat has kept in mind the youth of India while writing this book. He believes that the youth should stop being furious against specific politicians on social media, and rather work on building their career.
No matter which political party comes into power, the youth will have to work on themselves, sharpen their skills, and learn new things to get rid of unemployment or get better career options.
It would be better to use social media to improve networking for the betterment of a career rather than posting negative things on a platform that is already full of negative things. The youth should understand that a particular government can not solve the problems of anybody’s life.
I’m not much into political things but I’m aware of some of the things going on nowadays in the country. India Positive book by Chetan Bhagat helped me learn some of the things I wasn’t aware of. It is not a politically biased book but shows the things with statistics and facts to help the young people take the right steps and make the right choices.
I really enjoyed reading it and recommend it to everyone who wants insights on current India and looks to bring changes in his life as an Indian. The book shows how social media is full of fake news about everything, the things that have gone right or wrong in the last few years regarding the society and economy in India.
In the India Positive book, the author Chetan Bhagat has taken the crucial things in a very simple manner to show what is actually going on in the minds of youth today, the things we see, and the things that should actually be on the focus. He has examined a lot of things including education, employment, GST, infrastructure, corruption, casteism, and more.
“If our country is to shine, we need to stand up and be ‘India Positive Citizens’.” — Chetan Bhagat
I think it is an eye-opening book for youngsters. Even if you are someone who has negative thoughts about Chetan Bhagat and keeps on bashing him, you should still read it. Because it is not a fictional story of India.
Coming to Chetan Bhagat’s latest book India Positive, it is a collection of essays and columns which focuses on the burning issues of India. Chetan Bhagat has kept in mind the youth of India while writing this book. He believes that the youth should stop being furious against specific politicians on social media, and rather work on building their career.
No matter which political party comes into power, the youth will have to work on themselves, sharpen their skills, and learn new things to get rid of unemployment or get better career options.
It would be better to use social media to improve networking for the betterment of a career rather than posting negative things on a platform that is already full of negative things. The youth should understand that a particular government can not solve the problems of anybody’s life.
I’m not much into political things but I’m aware of some of the things going on nowadays in the country. India Positive book by Chetan Bhagat helped me learn some of the things I wasn’t aware of. It is not a politically biased book but shows the things with statistics and facts to help the young people take the right steps and make the right choices.
I really enjoyed reading it and recommend it to everyone who wants insights on current India and looks to bring changes in his life as an Indian. The book shows how social media is full of fake news about everything, the things that have gone right or wrong in the last few years regarding the society and economy in India.
In the India Positive book, the author Chetan Bhagat has taken the crucial things in a very simple manner to show what is actually going on in the minds of youth today, the things we see, and the things that should actually be on the focus. He has examined a lot of things including education, employment, GST, infrastructure, corruption, casteism, and more.
“If our country is to shine, we need to stand up and be ‘India Positive Citizens’.” — Chetan Bhagat
I think it is an eye-opening book for youngsters. Even if you are someone who has negative thoughts about Chetan Bhagat and keeps on bashing him, you should still read it. Because it is not a fictional story of India.
December 18, 2020
2.5/5
From this book, I can see Chetan Bhagat believes in Capitalism (Healthy Capitalism as he calls it!). He even goes on saying that Indians follow pseudo- socialism.
I am also convinced that Chetan Bhagat wants to take a middle stand. While taking the middle stand is the best way to approach a problem, in a country like India, it's best to incline to an ideology. (Be it left or right) That is what I believe to be practical. (and sometimes even moral) At least for me, looking at the issues from a leftist perspective, I can able to know to understand the issue better. Be it the caste-based reservation or the Kashmir problem.
I really liked the INDONOMICS part of this book. I came to know a lot about GST and how it is affecting our politics.
So, overall I got introduced to a lot of issues that I was not aware of before. And as I said before, I am not sure how to rate a book like this, so I am choosing to be in the middle (like CB :P) and giving it a 2.5/5.
From this book, I can see Chetan Bhagat believes in Capitalism (Healthy Capitalism as he calls it!). He even goes on saying that Indians follow pseudo- socialism.
I am also convinced that Chetan Bhagat wants to take a middle stand. While taking the middle stand is the best way to approach a problem, in a country like India, it's best to incline to an ideology. (Be it left or right) That is what I believe to be practical. (and sometimes even moral) At least for me, looking at the issues from a leftist perspective, I can able to know to understand the issue better. Be it the caste-based reservation or the Kashmir problem.
I really liked the INDONOMICS part of this book. I came to know a lot about GST and how it is affecting our politics.
So, overall I got introduced to a lot of issues that I was not aware of before. And as I said before, I am not sure how to rate a book like this, so I am choosing to be in the middle (like CB :P) and giving it a 2.5/5.
April 19, 2023
In his book India Positive, Chetan Bhagat has articled about the issues India was facing in 2014-19 like bankruptcy, corruption, economic fall down, poverty, riots, boarder issues, etc. These problems are not solved yet completely, we are facing these in current scenario too.
There are two perspectives in general, either elitist-liberal or religious-fanatic. The author stands somewhere in between of them, not exactly without biases.
In this book, Bhagat has discussed the crucial things very simply showing what is actually going in the minds of the youth, the things we see and how the things should be...
It shows how social media is showing the things that have gone right or wrong in the last few years regarding the society and the economy in the nation.
In simple, it's an eye-opener for youngsters. Even though it has some negative points, one should read as it's not a fictional story of India...
There are two perspectives in general, either elitist-liberal or religious-fanatic. The author stands somewhere in between of them, not exactly without biases.
In this book, Bhagat has discussed the crucial things very simply showing what is actually going in the minds of the youth, the things we see and how the things should be...
It shows how social media is showing the things that have gone right or wrong in the last few years regarding the society and the economy in the nation.
In simple, it's an eye-opener for youngsters. Even though it has some negative points, one should read as it's not a fictional story of India...
October 11, 2019
Chetan Bhagat is one of my favourite Indian authors. Most of the books I have read from him were fiction, but I also like to read his commentaries in the newspaper. I dont always agree with him, but he does offer interesting thoughts and insights and his arguments are well written and thought about. This book is a collection of his essays and they offer good insights into Indian politics and economics. The author writes on different subjects and occasions but it is always interesting and enjoyable. It is not a book you an read from page 1 till end in one go. Too many different subjects and ideas. I enjoyed reading it bit by bit. One essay at a time to give me time to think about it. Almost all of them are worth it!
December 21, 2019
Overall it's a good book. Lot of current problems have been discussed in various chapters along with the solutions; but in some chapters, Chetan seems to be providing the solution only from his point of view, not from the point of view of larger set of people.
There are some issues which have already been resolved now (even before publishing this book), like GST on Movies, National Anthem in Cinemas etc. These old columns were not required in this book .
Few columns are very well written - Fifty Shades of Intolerance, Virtue Signallers, ₹80 to win olympic golds, Tax with love, Out-of-control DU colleges etc.
There are some issues which have already been resolved now (even before publishing this book), like GST on Movies, National Anthem in Cinemas etc. These old columns were not required in this book .
Few columns are very well written - Fifty Shades of Intolerance, Virtue Signallers, ₹80 to win olympic golds, Tax with love, Out-of-control DU colleges etc.
February 12, 2020
Ideas in the book are not linear
In one chapter on AAP, he criticised its ministers for travelling in first class. But then in a chapter on selling Air India, he says company should be sold and ministers can be compensated by giving business /first class tickets in private airlines and Indian economy will not loose much. Why double standards? When you can blame whole party and say they have failed just because one minister travelled first class then why proposing first class to ministers who are now using AirIndia for free travel. You should have said that all ministers should fly economy class and save money for actual developmental work.
In one chapter on AAP, he criticised its ministers for travelling in first class. But then in a chapter on selling Air India, he says company should be sold and ministers can be compensated by giving business /first class tickets in private airlines and Indian economy will not loose much. Why double standards? When you can blame whole party and say they have failed just because one minister travelled first class then why proposing first class to ministers who are now using AirIndia for free travel. You should have said that all ministers should fly economy class and save money for actual developmental work.
June 11, 2020
The book has a few intriguing topics such as India's ban on pornography or the caste based reservations. Very familiar simple, easy to comprehend writing of Chetan Bhagat but the issue is how he has put up his perspective.
He has tried to be politically neutral but I sense that in doing so he has just given a solution in 200-300 words from decades old problems, say of corruption. At times his content is confusing (difficult to understand how it relates to the topic), he opinion quite shallow ("bhakts", typically are poor in English) and has oversimplified things that it is impractical.
However, the topics are very relevant and one can give it a quick read to this essay compilation.
He has tried to be politically neutral but I sense that in doing so he has just given a solution in 200-300 words from decades old problems, say of corruption. At times his content is confusing (difficult to understand how it relates to the topic), he opinion quite shallow ("bhakts", typically are poor in English) and has oversimplified things that it is impractical.
However, the topics are very relevant and one can give it a quick read to this essay compilation.
May 27, 2019
Good collection regarding problems and possible solutions
The essays have been carefully selected and gives a fair account of problems facing India and possible solutions. The recommendations are straightforward, simple and relevant and need to be probed further. With excellent title - India Positive-- this collection could provide the prime mover for creating a better India. Nothing is over the top and following the suggestions will be the right step which will lead to a positive environment in the country. Let's go for it.
The essays have been carefully selected and gives a fair account of problems facing India and possible solutions. The recommendations are straightforward, simple and relevant and need to be probed further. With excellent title - India Positive-- this collection could provide the prime mover for creating a better India. Nothing is over the top and following the suggestions will be the right step which will lead to a positive environment in the country. Let's go for it.
July 15, 2019
Chetan Bhagat is a good author who knows how to write books which appeal to most readers.
This book is a non fiction yet it is definitely at par with the bestselling fiction he has written.
His advice is that we as Indians should stay positive and not keep negativity in our minds about our country.
The essays are short, interesting and cover a whole range of issues confronting the country and us as citizens.
He offers simplistic analysis, practical solutions and doesn't take political sides.
I feel every Indian citizen should reading the book.
This book is a non fiction yet it is definitely at par with the bestselling fiction he has written.
His advice is that we as Indians should stay positive and not keep negativity in our minds about our country.
The essays are short, interesting and cover a whole range of issues confronting the country and us as citizens.
He offers simplistic analysis, practical solutions and doesn't take political sides.
I feel every Indian citizen should reading the book.
August 20, 2019
The problem with this book is that many of the essays are outdated now. This book was published well before the 2019 Loksabha elections. So 'what BJP should focus for the elections', 'how demonetization will affect the results' doesn't matter now. When I am writing this review, article 370 is history. So another essay becomes out-of-date. Despite this fact, the author has done a good job of being balanced and composed. Readers can not mark his views biased. He didn't abuse UPA or praised NDA. He just remains a common man; which is a good thing. This book is a good one-time read.
June 19, 2019
Collation of different articles which present the 'Right' minded perspective of an informed/ successful Indian citizen. It is a breezy read. Some facts, collated with basic research, were interesting. Commentary and views presented in a simple and uncomplicated fashion. Chetan with his marketing acumen has launched another product apt for the times and with his target audience of (Indian salaried middle class right wing occasional readers) well taken care of.
May 24, 2019
A must read book for everyone who is either interested to read about Indian politics or for those who wants to know about certain prevailing issues of India. Language is easy enough for beginner readers also. For more detailed review in Hindi, please find my review on my YouTube channel 'booksamaze'.
November 6, 2019
Relevant and thought provoking articles
Great interactive narration full of subtle humour and quirky, comic satire is what makes the articles stand out! Giving an objective touch while commenting on sensitive issues is an art which only comes with asking the right questions. Chetan Bhagat, in his articles does justice to that.
Great interactive narration full of subtle humour and quirky, comic satire is what makes the articles stand out! Giving an objective touch while commenting on sensitive issues is an art which only comes with asking the right questions. Chetan Bhagat, in his articles does justice to that.
May 30, 2019
Very good essay. I would suggest to read this book only if you are an open minded person. If you are a hard core fan of any political party please don't read this book.
It has excellent suggestion on how individual's can make a difference
It has excellent suggestion on how individual's can make a difference
July 3, 2019
Highlighted the main concerns of young india..
Superb effort..
Chetan you almost touched all the concerns of young india.
I hope people and governments read your views and understand the dynamic of our country and pursue some effecting measures to make our country greatest..
Superb effort..
Chetan you almost touched all the concerns of young india.
I hope people and governments read your views and understand the dynamic of our country and pursue some effecting measures to make our country greatest..
September 2, 2019
Since I've stopped following the news, such books are a good way to consume Indian news once every six months or a year. While some of the writing is naive, I appreciate the intent. The ideas are worth pondering over, even if they aren't really backed by sound evidence.
August 4, 2020
Casually leafed through this book,and read the essays whose titles intrigued me.CB offers nothing more than useless aphorisms and platitudes in this book,similar to Making India Awesome and What Young India Wants.
May 10, 2019
Good Read
I read this in my Kindle. The author has given his take on some of current day issues, with out taking sides, in a lucid manner..I enjoyed reading this.
I read this in my Kindle. The author has given his take on some of current day issues, with out taking sides, in a lucid manner..I enjoyed reading this.
May 28, 2019
Chetans take on the current socio- economic scenarios of our nation and the ways to counter the hurdles.
June 7, 2019
really a positive feel... everything explained using instances and examples, making it easier for the readers to grip why and how we should react to the various situations.
December 25, 2019
Picked up to learn a little more about Indian politics. It was interesting for that, but the essays themselves are really not convincing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews