I read “The White Tiger”, the debut novel by Aravind Adiga. This book won the Booker prize in 2008.

This fast-moving novel is written as a seven-part letter to the Chinese prime minister who is to visit Bangalore. Adiga tells his gripping story in a narrative style. He does a good job of striking a balance between his wretched life and the privileged masters that he serves. The novel expresses deep anger and hatred at injustice, corruption and power of the new India. There is no subtlety in his message. This comes across very strongly.

Warning….this is a spoiler if you plan to read the book…

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Balram Halwai, starts with his master in rural Bihar as a servant and eventually moves with them to Delhi as their chauffeur. The village bumpkin soon sees the dark side of the big cities, the corrupt politicians, the underbelly of modern cities. He schemes to break free and eventually premeditates the murder of his master. He justifies it as an act of class warfare! Sounds very Bihar-esque. Balarm eventually moves to Bangalore and turns into an entrepreneur. I find it hard to believe that Bangalore is built on Bihar!

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Please NO! There is no place in India like Bihar!!!

Bihar is a state in India that started off as a seat of higher learning, way back in 1000-500 BC or so. Many religions started here. Buddha was born and attained “nirvana” here. Jainism started here. Many philosophers, poets and writers were based here too. I am not sure what caused this decline but in recent times the economic descent and lawlessness became unparalleled in the country. Corruption, caste-wars, lawlessness, economic stagnation define Bihar today. For 25 years, I have not read any good news out of Bihar. From my personal experiences as a school kid visiting a few places in Bihar or traveling by train through the state, I can tell you that I felt unsafe and frightened. Women are treated with disrespect. I cannot come to terms with this. I abhor it then, I abhor it now! Though I have not been there in 20+ years, my friends tell me that not much has changed!