They say that today Indians have dreams in their eyes, and they are not scared of dreaming anything, they dream of having big global businesses. They dream of a clean environment and sometimes they dream of a perfect country in the hands of perfect people. How you wish these dreams would come out of eyes that dream them and become a reality. Krishan Partap Singh is a young author who probably had a dream about perfect politics in India. Living in Delhi, he might have rubbed shoulders with the innumerable high and mighty in Delhi. And based on how he would want to see them he created a story. The book Young Turks is based on politics in India as we would like to have. And probably the first one to explore politics in a fiction by the current generation of authors.
The story begins sometime in the early 70s with its three main protagonists still in school in Delhi as classmates. And all of whom come from enviable backgrounds. Till 2009, the scene in Indian politics is fictionalized. But every Indian would know what the author is saying. People who grew up in the 70s and 80s can relate to each and everything. The three leads have exceptionally great careers in entirely different fields. One with a famous surname goes to the Army and wins the Kargil battle. Another becomes a media personality. And the third one becomes a financial whiz kid. Two of them change careers and move on to join politics. One of them out of choice and sense of responsibility. And the other is dragged into it by the family.
The third one becomes a big media guy, owns a TV channel. And covers and analyzes everything the other two do. There are all elements of Indian politics that the story touches. Caste politics, identity-based decisions, push of a surname and family lineage. Regional politics, riots, war, external affairs, alliance politics, extramarital affairs, sting operations, kidnapping of family members of the politicians. When the two protagonists become the most powerful politicians in the country that is when the dream run of author begins. The public interests come before personal interests. The disagreements are kept apart once the decisions are taken. Ministers lead from the front in dealing with riots. Neighboring countries are dealt with strongly and there is no bending before anyone. The seized land during the war is not returned. Diplomatic relations are maintained with all major regions.
The author does not make his characters larger than life. And gives them some frailties to keep them human. In the climax when the 2 have to decide between themselves who takes the prime post of Prime Minister of India, the choice is in the best interest of the country even though there are doubts about choosing a person from the minority community.
The book Young Turks is very fast paced, there is no beating around the bush and a certain level of intelligence is assumed in the readers. It also seems to be written for Indians as there is no effort to explain each and every India word, which is also commendable as most authors today seem to be running after global audience. The language is simple and lucid, very easy to read. There are no editorial mistakes that I could see. The author seems to have spent time amongst the people who run the government machinery and observed them closely. This is one of the few books in the recent time where I did not feel that the book was written with a Bollywood movie in mind. Though on second thoughts, it has the potential to become a film on the lines of modern day patriotic films.
The book comes with some fresh writing and looks at an area largely ignored so far in Indian writing. This is the first book in a three-part series by the author called The Raisina Series. I am looking forward to reading the next two books now.
I would recommend reading this book Young Turks, especially if you are an Indian.
Buy this book – Young Turks aka The Road to Raisina by Krishan Partap Singh at Amazon India.
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Thanks for sharing with us.
i had read a book called 'road to raisina hill'….which has the same charcaters as u describe in 'young turks' and even the same storyline – perchance has 'road to raisina hill' been renamed and launched as 'young turks'?
Half way down the book, the overpowering thought that i have is one that every jeffery archer fan would swear by, is the arraival of the Indian Archer. All i can say is i feel like taking a day off to finish this book like i used to do with all my archer books back in college days.
i would be delighted if anyone can post the email address of Krishna Pratap.
Yes, Dimitry, this is the same book as Road to Raisina. It was republished this year as Young Turks, the 1st book in the Raisina Series. The 2nd book, Delhi Durbar also came out this year, so I hope you'll read it when you get a chance.
Rgds,
Krishan P Singh
email: raisina.series@gmail.com
Thank you, Debarata! Your words of praise are much appreciated. My email address is raisina.series@gmail.com. Let me know what your final verdict on the book is. I would also suggest you do what I always did: secretly read at work!
Cheers,
Krishan P Singh
Same as debarata – half way down the book. Since long i was searching for a good political fiction for a good read and also as a research for my own humble story. When I stumbled across Young turks i was delighted – have even bought Delhi Durbar yesterday. Has 'the war ministry' released or is gonna release soon?
@Mr.Pratap I really admire your work and will write to you as I finish reading the books 🙂
Thanks, coolkamikazecat(very snazzy name!). Thanks for the words of praise. Glad u r enjoying Young Turks. The War Ministry is all written, and will be out at the start of next year. So be sure to keep an eye out for it.
Best,
Krishan P Singh
raisina.series@gmail.com
Finished Delhi Durbar yesterday! (had taken a really long break after the first chapter 🙁 ) But did not leave it since I picked it up again. Has some awesome moments! I am just back from a trip to Delhi(while I was reading Nehru's autobiography) and with the scenes from Luyten's fresh in mind – it was an altogether surreal feeling to read Delhi Durbar.