The author brings to fore hypocrisies and false promises of Indian politicians by which they strive to sustain their vote-banks year after year. At times it may seem that the author is making an unfair comparison between India and the United States, Mathur has definitely made an effort to convey his message with a note of caution to future politicians of India. On the contrary, the author has not shied away from appreciating what he likes about the country. His firm convictions about politicians (ministers to be precise), trade unions and the Indian work culture and his elegance in describing the same will make you reflect on one hand and indulge in laughter on the other.

The story unfolds with the controversy surrounding a company and its worker’s union. How the workers, the union leader and the management strive and yet fail to come to an amicable solution to resolve the factory problem makes up the crux of the story. The author has maintained a realistic approach and has consciously avoided myths while depicting his characters and the circumstances that encircle them. All this while however, he also succeeds in maintaining his wry sense of humour. For instance, the way Chris is shocked when he meets Kalpana Singh who shatters the image of the perfect Indian girl he had in mind, one who symbolises chastity and innocence is hilarious.

Overall, Making The Minister Smile is full of humour, laughter, wit and surprises with a subtle tinge of satire. It takes a close look at the corruption and red-tapism rampant in the Indian political circles and establishes Mathur’s sardonic sense of humour yet again. While on the one hand there is the American protagonist Chris Stark, trying to give a new look to his father’s business, on the other hand we have the invincible ‘Mantriji’ and the portrayal of these two central characters have assured this book a permanent place in bestseller racks.  

Review: Moitrayee Bhaduri
Design: Suparna Sengupta

Making the Minister Smile by Anurag Mathur     List Price Rs 200.00 Our Price Rs 180.00