My India, My America

THIS substantial volume really represents several books rolled into one. It is the life story of a Hindu who spent years of study and residence in this country, after being educated in India and taking part in Gandhi’s ‘march to the sea’ where he defied the Government by making salt and receiving that regular hallmark of the Indian nationalist: a term in prison. It is an informal survey of America, friendly, discerning, humorous, as seen through Indian eyes. It is also a study of many aspects of India, political, economic, and cultural, and it contains some very interesting sketches of Gandhi, Nehru and other leading Indian political figures. Mr. Shridharani emerges from the work as an Indian nationalist of moderate views, conscious of grievances against Great Britain but definitely opposed to the totalitarian powers, a modern-minded man who would be more interested in sanitation and day nurseries than in the preservation of romantic but archaic Indian institutions. He found America a congenial country, but chides us gently on such weaknesses as ‘idolizing the so-called experts of the radio and press who contradict themselves seven times a week.’ He is authoritative and temperate in reviewing the ramifications of Indian politics, and his sketch of the Hindu communal leader, Malaviya, who demanded large rations of Ganges water and cow dung for devotional purposes on his trip to England and undertook a rejuvenation process ‘ in a sealed chamber modeled after a woman’s womb ‘ is only one of many lighter touches in a very human book.

W.H.C.