The Game of Power and Passion: When Politics met Ambition in the corridors of IIT

by Nishant Shekhar

Abhimanyu has done it! He has made it to IIT Delhi. He walks into the premier institution, ready to compete in academics with the brightest minds of the country, and create a name for himself. But what he experiences in his hostel surprises him, shocks him, and unlocks his untested potential and aspirations.Join Abhimanyu as he learns to passionately compete for a group, a team, and an institution. As he builds up friendships and connections that will shape him for the rest of his life. As he prepares to unravel his hidden dreams and aspirations.The Game of Power and Passion is a rollercoaster ride through the hallowed halls of IIT. Giving a sneak peek into that part of an IITian’s life that has never been shared before. Witness the world of power and politics helping Abhimanyu discover his ultimate ambition.

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 6, 2023

Reviews

[Siddharth Saridevi · Rating 2 out of 5]

It becomes very apparent that the author is a neophyte when it comes to writing upon reading this book. The Game of Power and Passion is a bold book which tries to teach lessons on human nature and politics through the college life of the lead, Abhimanyu, and his peer group. Although it does deliver what it set out to do to a certain degree, it was not a very enjoyable experience as everything was laid out matter-of-factly through conversations between the characters, which took away the suspense and thrill of figuring out the characters' intentions.

There was also very little, if not any, character development in any of the several actors who seemed to be perfect beings from the get-go. This can be attributed to the several dozen characters present in just 265 pages of the book, which ends up in each character having little presence. The overuse of the word "basis" is also annoying after a point. There were several opportunities to expand on specific situations that were not explored, making me want more drama. There were also several loose ends - for instance, Vishal's drinking abilities were only mentioned in the index and not anywhere else. The prologue also sets up the protagonist as achieving something that cemented his name in Kara's history, but that was also never brought up again. The present state of the book felt very ambitious and incomplete. I could only wish for the environment the characters were in to be described better and made to feel more immersive and have the "lessons" and the character's every thought not explicitly stated.

That being said, I commend the author for telling the tale and giving us a glimpse into one of the most prestigious institutes in the country. It made me want to redo college and go to IITD. The scene where Abhimanyu aids in sneaking in Bhavna is the most entertaining part of the story.

[Amreen Shaikh · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "The Game of Power and Passion," the narrative unfolds as a gripping exploration of Abhimanyu's journey into the prestigious corridors of IIT Delhi. From the initial triumph of securing a coveted spot in the institution to the unforeseen challenges within the hostel, the book delves into the untold complexities of campus life, revealing a story that goes beyond the academic pursuits.