Recent Books

Untouchables

Narendra Jadhav, translated from English by Kang Soo-jeong; Gimm-Young: 364 pp., 11,000 won

Narendra Jadhav is a respected economist. He has served in the Reserve Bank of India for almost three decades, and represented India at the International Monetary Fund. Now he is also vice chancellor of the University of Pune in India, and one of the key candidates predicted to become the next leader of India.

His elite career does not easily show that he is a Dalit, or an ``untouchable,'' _ meaning members of the lowest caste group according to the traditional Indian caste system. But in this book, he tells readers of the tough struggle against ingrained social injustice and people's prejudice, by penning a moving memoir of his own life as well as that of his parents.

Jadhav's father, Damu, was the first one in the family who paved his own way against what was required of him as a Dalit, influenced by the teachings of Babasaheb Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution who led the fight against the caste system. His determination to get his children educated, as well as strong family bonds, will easily strike a chord here. There are also some rather unknown tidbits. For example, how Mahatma Gandhi, one of the world's most beloved saint figures, was perceived as condescending by the Dalits during the independence movement.

The book is basically a moving human story, but also weaves detailed, colorful pictures of everyday life, culture, history and society in India.

-Seo Dong-shin