A Young Nation's Selfhood
Outlook|March 11, 2024
Nehru understood that the newly independent nation was the contradictory whole of many contradicting selves
Manash Firaq Bhattacharjee
A Young Nation's Selfhood

IN an article he wrote for Time magazine in 2001, reflecting on fifty years of India’s independence, Salman Rushdie connected the “so-called idea of India” to the modern Indian self, through a string of paradoxes: “In the modern age, we have come to understand our own selves as composites, often contradictory, even internally incompatible. We have understood that each of us is many different people. Our younger selves differ from our older selves; we can be bold in the company of our lovers and timorous before our employers, principled when we instruct our children and corrupt when offered some secret temptation; we are serious and frivolous, loud and quiet, aggressive and easily abashed. The 19th-century concept of the integrated self has been replaced by this jostling crowd of ‘I’s. And yet, unless we are damaged, or deranged, we usually have a relatively clear sense of who we are. I agree with my many selves to call all of them ‘me.’”

Esta historia es de la edición March 11, 2024 de Outlook.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición March 11, 2024 de Outlook.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE OUTLOOKVer todo
US Economy: What's At Stake
Outlook

US Economy: What's At Stake

A Donald Trump presidency carries high risks for global growth due to tariffs, while Kamala Harris is less profligate with far more fiscal discipline

time-read
6 minutos  |
November 11, 2024
Celestial Despair
Outlook

Celestial Despair

Set in the dusty city of Ranchi, Celestina and Lawrence is a film governed by unkept promises and incorrigible desires

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 11, 2024
Who are we? Who is Them?
Outlook

Who are we? Who is Them?

This Jharkhand election will be a direct fight between the JMM and the BJP on Adivasi identity and the issue of infiltration

time-read
5 minutos  |
November 11, 2024
Maha Versus Bharat
Outlook

Maha Versus Bharat

Can Shiv Sena and NCP's region-centric politics survive against the BJP's all-sweeping nationalistic style?

time-read
5 minutos  |
November 11, 2024
An Ideal Couple?
Outlook

An Ideal Couple?

The US-India partnership is likely to endure as it is based on the national interests of both countries

time-read
5 minutos  |
November 11, 2024
Dollar Democracy
Outlook

Dollar Democracy

American politics is a big circus

time-read
6 minutos  |
November 11, 2024
The Outrider
Outlook

The Outrider

The shift in Kamala Harris' immigration policies reflects the national mood against illegal immigrants

time-read
6 minutos  |
November 11, 2024
The Anarchist
Outlook

The Anarchist

Misogynist, repeat sex offender, rape accused and felon-Donald Trump is only growing stronger

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 11, 2024
Roe, Roe, Roe Your Vote
Outlook

Roe, Roe, Roe Your Vote

For millions of women, the 2024 election isn't just about picking a president; it's about defining the kind of country America will be

time-read
8 minutos  |
November 11, 2024
No Country for Women
Outlook

No Country for Women

Abortion is one of the deciding factors in US elections. It is time to reflect on our own practices and prejudices

time-read
6 minutos  |
November 11, 2024