------------------------------------------------------- Goanet recommends, and is proud to be associated with, 'Domnic's Goa' - A nostalgic romp through a bygone era. This book is the perfect gift for any Goan, or anyone wanting to understand Goa. Distributed locally by Broadway, near Caculo Island, Panjim & internationally by OtherIndiaBookStore.Com. For trade enquiries contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------------------------------- http://www.timeoutmumbai.net/books/book_review_details.asp?code=148 Author : Jyotimaya Sharma Publisher : Penguin Cost : Indian Rupees 295 This little book, which summarises the thoughts of MS Golwalkar, the head of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh from 1940 until his death in June 1973, packs a punch. Using clear prose that keeps the pace swift, Sharma takes you through every detail of Golwalkar's beliefs in an economical manner. From his days at the Benares Hindu University to his early years with the Sangh, his stringent efforts at carving an insidious political space for the Sangh in independent India and finally – and ironically – his uncertain and tentative definitions of the terms "Hindu" and "Hinduism". That was a real surprise.
While there are many fountainheads spouting the ideology of Hindutva, the language, ideas, and concepts used by Golwalkar will resonate with a special clarity for the contemporary reader. After all, Golwalkar's transparent prejudices – against Islam, secularism, Gandhism and a non-puritanical and sensual Hinduism – inspire Sangh followers even today. The best part of the book is the extensive research Sharma employs to show how Golwalkar's (and the Sangh's) ideas are direct descendants of a dated, orientalist vision of Hinduism. It reinforced my own prejudice against Hindutva by reminding me that the ideology is extremely foreign and so blindly imitative of some European thoughts that it seriously violates my indigenous sensibilities. What the book also reveals is that the gods of ideas and utopias are alive and kicking. It was breathtaking to see how intensely the thoughts and beliefs of a man can fortify ideologies and keep them dynamic. This should motivate all those who are disturbed by the appropriation of Hinduism by the Hindutva brigade to never underestimate the power of rhetoric and fantasy as useful weapons. After being disturbed by the book, I switched on the television and fiercely enjoyed every bit of Lage Raho Munna Bhai. Rahul Srivastava Source : Time Out Mumbai ISSUE 21 Friday, June 15, 2007
