I often select books randomly that I notice on various social media platforms, but in the case of fantastic authors, I anxiously wait for their book to be published, grab it, and finish it. Arundhati Roy is one amidst them. For me, She is a Universal writer with an Indian soul. In many Points, including some part of the communist ideology, I share similar outlooks with the author, and it may be one of the reasons why she became my preferred author.
"AZADI" is a series of electrifying essays and speeches delivered by the writer on different events. The essays comprise reflections on language, public and private, and the role of fiction and alternative visualizations in uncertain times. The language adopted in the nine essays is stalwart and sensitive, as she has served in her former works also. She strongly opposes the various social anarchies and criticizes political parties for their stand and actions on multiple occasions.
The book is all about the demand for 'Azadi' in expressions, media, literature, cinema, and all life descriptions. The writer specifies Kashmiris, Dalits, and many narrow communities in India have already lost it. We can summarize the writer's appeal from the last lines of her essay, 'There is Fire in the Ducts, the System is Failing.'
"What we need are people who are prepared to be unpopular. Who are prepared to put themselves in danger. Who are prepared to tell the truth. Brave journalists can do that, and they have. Brave lawyers can do that, and they have. And artists- beautiful, brilliant, brave writers, poets, musicians, painters, and filmmakers can do that. That beauty is on our side—all of it.
We have work to do, And a world to win."
The significant takeaways from this book are:
The concepts of secularism and equality are dropping their significance even in India. Once India bestowed the world "Unity in Diversity." and now the show is something else.
The circumstance in many sectors of India is considerably vulnerable than we presume. Leaders and common man with the guts to oppose activities deteriorating the nation's integrity is the need of the hour.
I suggest this book to all those who love articles about social and national concerns. The book is having 243 pages and priced at Rs 499 only.
Arundhati Roy, full name Suzanna Arundhati Roy, (born November 24, 1961, Shillong, Meghalaya, India), Indian author, actress, and political activist who was best known for the award-winning novel novelThe God of Small Things (1997) and for her involvement in environmental and human rights causes.
My rating 4.5 out of 5