The Liberals

by Hindol Sengupta

1991. The year the Indian economy opened up to the world and unleashed a billion desires and dreams. But who are these restless dreamers?

This is a very private story of a very public middle-class consumption revolution. From proselytizing American schools in Calcutta to Page-3 parties in Delhi and television studios in Bombay, The Liberals brings to life unforgettable characters spawned by the needs of the worlds largest democracy. Communist Bob Dylans jam with murderous villagers, girlfriends give lessons in capitalism, TV stylists snarl over white shirts, Amar Singh talks about love and Akshay Kumar about what it takes to be the boy next door. Through it all, Hindol Sengupta lives to tell the tale of GDP rising.

This is the autobiography of liberalization, entertaining and immensely relatable, and an insiders account of finding ones place in a newly liberalized India.

336 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2012

About the author

Hindol Sengupta (born 1979) is an Indian journalist and entrepreneur, who is the award-winning author of eight books.
In 2017, he was selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. His three new upcoming books are a narrative non-fiction, a historical fiction and a history of the free markets in India to be published by Penguin and Simon & Schuster. Among his recent books is the bestselling Being Hindu: Old Faith, New World and You, The Modern Monk: What Vivekananda Means To Us Today, and The Sacred Sword: The Legend of Guru Gobind Singh. He is the youngest winner of the PSF prize for public service, an award won by, among others, the late Indian scientist and President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.

Reviews

[Adithya Jain · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was supposed to be about the Indians of the liberalised economy. But it turns out to be an autobiography through which we are to see the Liberalised Indians. Yes, it does give us a perspective of how our lives have changed. Coming from a middle class family similar to the author's I could relive many moments of my childhood when the author narrates the story. But the title is certainly misleading.

But the writing style and the fun that you derive while reading the book certainly makes up for it. Good one.

[E.T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I misunderstood the premise of the book. I took it to be a personal history of the liberalisation of Indian economy by Narsimha Rao in 1991; A bit like Gurcharan Das's India unbound which mixed the story of Indian economy with personal experiences.
This one is purely an autobiography except for d first couple of chapters. Liked d first half bcoz it was set in Kolkatta, the second half set in Delhi/Mumbai was a little stale. The writing is lucid and the author seems quite frank too.

[Sandip Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone growing up in a middle class family in kolkata and later experience a taste of delhi and mumbai, this book is going down memory lane which will make you relive your childhood once again. the author's vivid description growing up as a kid and the way he has captured the daily nuances of our lives will make you emotional in case you have experienced it before......

[Anil Kumar]

At first,I misled myself into believing it could be a narration of how PV Narasimha Rao introduced liberalization.As with a few of such writings,I had to clear my mind of such misjudgements.The book has more of autobiographical elements than the factual pieces of liberalization.I for one appreciate the lucidity of the author!