TEXT 7: Sumeet Grover: ”Rang De Basanti” (2012)

Questions for analysis

• 1) Comment on the context of the poem. Why was it written?
• 2) Explain the relation between Bhagat Singh and the protesters (p. 94).
• 3) Grover calls India “a nation of deaf” and “a nation of blind” (p. 95). What does he mean, and how does he argue?
• 4) Find examples of social criticism in the text, e.g. society, politics, and popular culture. Which aspects of Indian society is he particularly critical towards, and why?
• 5) Explain the ending of the poem: What does he want people to do (p. 96)?
• 6) Comment on the use of colours in the poem, especially red and yellow.
• 7) Look up the various meanings of the title and relate them to your analysis.
• 8) Account for the various themes in the poem, as argued by Grover in his author’s note in the text box.

Post-reading and perspectives

• 1) The title refers to an anti-British phrase coined by the famous Indian socialist and revolutionary Bhagat Singh (1907-1931) during the struggle for Indian independence. Compare the two texts and discuss why Sumeet Grover chose this title.
• 2) Also, "Rang De Basanti" is the name of a 2006 Bollywood movie which deals with a British filmmaker and a group of Indian actors who experience corruption and abuse of power within the Indian Defence Ministry. Look up how this film was received and the social impact it had on Indian society, and compare to the poem.
• 3) Find and explain references to Indian history, culture and politics in the poem.

Language and structure

• Is this text actually a poem? Argue your point and find examples to support your view.
• How are metaphors and colours used to emphasise the message of the poem?

Written exercise

• Write a letter to the editor in which you defend the right of the citizens of a democracy to protest and demonstrate against their government.

Social science

• Using this text and the website www.globalpoetry.net as an example, discuss why NGOs have become such an important part of Indian society (see chapter 2.6).
• What characterises civil society as opposed to market and state, as shown in figure 2.8 (chapter 2.6).

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TEXT 8: Ronak D. Desai: ”How will India Confront its Corruption Crisis?” (2013)

Questions for analysis

• 1) Which allegations have been made against the former chief of India’s air force, and why is this case so significant (p. 97)?
• 2) Account for the historical roots of corruption and bribery in India. What made India so susceptible to corruption?   
• 3) Give examples of recent scandals to illustrate India’s so-called “corruption pandemic” (p. 98).
• 4) What are the economic costs of India’s corruption problem, according to recent studies?
• 5) Why are India’s poor particularly affected by the consequences of corruption?
• 6) Traditionally, how have most Indians regarded bribery, and what has happened to the public view on corruption during recent years (p. 99)?
• 7) Which anti-corruption measures have been introduced so far?
• 8) According to the article, which further steps are needed to fight corruption (p. 100)?

Post-reading and perspectives

• 1) Look up further information on recent corruption scandals. Which traits do they share? Is it possible to establish some kind of pattern?
• 2) Go to the latest Corruption Perceptions Index at Transparency International’s website and compare India’s rank to that of other countries. Discuss their rankings (also, see table 2.4 in chapter 2.7).
• 3) After having read the article, look at the political cartoon link in the text box again and explain the correlation between reforms and corruption.

Language and structure

• Make a stylistic analysis of one or more paragraphs and establish the level of formality

Written exercise

• Write a short essay on the problem of bribery and corruption in India, and discuss the impact it has on Indian society. Use examples from the text.

Social science

• Explain how big corruption works in India, as shown in figure 2.10 (chapter 2.7).
• Based on the article, discuss the economic and social consequences of corruption, as described in chapter 2.7 (incl. table 2.4, table 2.5 and figure 2.11).

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TEXT 9: Shobhika Puri: ”The Heavy Hand of Censorship” (2013)

Download glossary to text 9

Questions for analysis

• 1) Explain the correlation between rights and duties in a democracy.
• 2) Give examples of recent cases of censorship, as mentioned in the text.
• 3) According to the author, what do these cases show about Indian society?
• 4) Why does Shobhika Puri quote the French philosopher Voltaire, and which definition of the term “freedom (of speech)” does she prefer?
• 5) Explain why “India is at a dangerous turn”? What might happen to democracy in India, according to Shobhika Puri?
• 6) Which solution to the problem does she suggest?

Post-reading and perspectives

• 1) Look up information on how the regulatory bodies like the Press Council of India and the Censor Board of Film Certification work. When do they step in?
• 2) Relate the text to the role of social media. Why is it becoming increasingly difficult for regulatory bodies in e.g. India to oversee communication on social media?
• 3) Compare the text to other articles by Shobhika Puri at www.shobhika.com.

Language and structure

• What characterises a blog as a written genre? Look at both structure and language.

Written exercise

• Write a blog in which you defend the right to use social media uncensored in India.

Social science

• Explain how India has changed its normative media theory after independence (see figure 2.9, chapter 2.6).
• Explain the relationship between freedom of speech and media censorship in modern-day India, particularly with regard to social media (see chapter 2.6).

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TEXT 10: Pavan K. Varma: ”Power – The Unexpected Triumph of Democracy” from “Being English” (2004)

Questions for analysis

• 1) Explain the behaviour of the junior police officer and the MP at the airport.
• 2) According to Indian tradition, how are the powerful expected to behave, and how can that cultural feature be traced back to the period of British rule (p. 103)?  
• 3) In 1947, the end of British rule effected a transfer of power to the Indian elite, who largely adopted the practice of the colonial regime. However, as the author argues, the Indian elite “could have been different” (p. 103). How?  
• 4) Based on the example of the deputy director of Lucknow, list the various elements that a minister’s importance is judged by (p. 104).
• 5) Explain why most Indian politicians were attracted to the rewards of the democratic process rather than the democratic idea itself when parliamentary democracy was established in India.
• 6) Account for the corruption charges against former Telecom Minister Sukh Ram and his subsequent re-election. Why is this case so significant?
• 7) “Both well-to-do and poor Indians value the services of an effective patron over that of a principled politician” (p. 106). Explain why Indians often tolerate corruption and politicians with criminal backgrounds.

Post-reading and perspectives

• 1) Discuss whether the British can be blamed for the way that (wealthy) Indians project their power. Consider Ghandi’s thoughts in ”Hind Swaraj” (text 4).
• 2) Relate the view on democracy in this text to that in Nehru’s speech “A Tryst with Destiny” (text 6). What are the main differences and why?
• 3) Relate the text to the main character in Sudha Murty’s short story “On Human Foibles” (text 24). To what extent might the view on power and status in India explain the young man’s actions?

Language and structure

• Characterise Pavan K. Varma’s way of arguing. Which stylistic and rhetorical devices does he use in order to prove his point? What is his overall warrant?

Written exercise

• Write a short essay in which you explain the different views on power and corruption in India and Denmark respectively.

Social science

• Pavan K. Varma emphasises the aspect of status, power and personal wealth in Indian society. How can this explain the bureaucratic Indian administration (see chapter 2.3) and the problem of corruption (see chapter 2.7)?
• Also, explain how the Congress Party has used the patron-client relationship in order to maintain power (see chapter 2.5).

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TEXT 11: Tony Monroe and Aditi Shah: ”Replicating Gujarat’s growth model across India tough prospect for Modi” (2013)

Questions for analysis

• 1) Which challenges does Modi face if he decides to run for Prime Minister?
• 2) Give examples of Modi’s controversial past and his current reputation.
• 3) According to experts, what has Modi’s regime achieved in Gujarat, and why is this particularly appealing to the middle classes (p. 108)?
• 4) However, critics question the effect of economic reform in Gujarat. Why (p. 108)?
• 5) Describe the annual growth of Gujarat’s economy since Modi took office in 2001. Also, which companies have recently set up plants in the state?
• 6) Explain why Modi might struggle “to negotiate the coalition politics” (p. 109) in the federal parliament in Delhi.

Post-reading and perspectives

• 1) Look up information on the RSS and account for their history and ideology.
• 2) Compare Modi’s political role and significance to that of Sonia Gandhi in text 12. What are their strengths and weaknesses?
• 3) Relate the article to the correlation between economic reform and corruption (text 8). What are the main challenges when implementing economic reform in India?

Language and structure

• Describe the use of contrasts in the article and consider the intended effect. Give examples from the text.

Written exercise

• Write Modi’s election speech if he decides to stand as Prime Minister candidate.

Social science

• Explain the so-called ‘Hinduva” agenda of the BJP (see chapter 2.5).
• Despite his reputation as an economic reformer, Modi remains controversial because of his Hindu nationalist views. To what extent can he be said to continue the agenda of Hindu nationalism within the BJP, as described in chapter 2.5?

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TEXT 12: Abhay Vaidya: ”Nine years of UPA: What makes Sonia Gandhi the real hero” (2013)

Questions for analysis

• 1) Summarise the story of the imported dog biscuits (p. 110).
• 2) As a contrast, how is Sonia Gandhi described by Vinod Mehta 30 years later (p. 111)?
• 3) Give examples of noteworthy initiatives and policy measures during Sonia Gandhi’s leadership.
• 4) “Undoubtedly, the UPA has its can of worms” (p. 111). How has the government been embarrassed?
• 5) Why has the BJP failed to challenge Sonia Gandhi?
• 6) According to the article, what makes Sonia Gandhi such a powerful political influence? List at least three reasons.

Post-reading and perspectives

• 1) Look up information on the Indian National Congress Party and account for their history and ideology.
• 2) Go to the following link and explain why, according to an editor, “Sonia Gandhi should become the king, not kingmaker”: www.livemint.com/Opinion/hXGpFAH3k7U6PBJDRNuEmK/Sonia-Gandhi-should-become-the-King.html
• 3) Compare Sonia Gandhi’s political role and significance to that of Narendra Modi in text 11. What are their individual strengths and weaknesses?
• 4) Relate the text to recent government corruption scandals and Indian corruption culture in general (text 8 and 10). What are the main challenges when fighting corruption?

Language and structure

• Composition: Divide the article into sections and give each section a headline.
• Rhetorical analysis: Find Abhay Vaidya‘s main claim, grounds and underlying warrant. How does she argue?

Written exercise

• Write Sonia Gandhi’s election speech if she decides to run for Prime Minister.
• Write a letter to the editor from Sonia Gandhi in which she comments on the article.

Social science

• Explain how the Gandhi/Nehru family dynasty was able to stay in power for many years (see figure 1.9 in chapter 1 and chapter 2.5)
• Discuss Sonia Gandhi’s significance in Indian politics and her position within the Indian National Congress Party (see chapter 2.5).

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