Nearly a decade after publication, Arundhati Roy's unflinching examination of India's political and social landscape remains urgently relevant to contemporary readers.

About The Author – The Ministry Of Utmost Happiness

Arundhati Roy is a well-known author, who is a Man Booker Prize winner(1997) for her debut book – The God of Small Things. She is also an activist and over the years has been a screenwriter and a film critic too. As much as her fiction is beloved for its ingenuity, her nonfiction essays (centred around the pressing socio-political issues of the day) are regarded as pioneering too. The Ministry of Utmost Happiness (announced in 2007) has been 10 years in the making and reflects Roy’s 20 years of work as an activist.

A Book Truer To Life, Closer To The Truth…

The Ministry of Utmost Happiness is brave and unapologetic of the criticism it offers through its stories, that are at times revealed in undertones and at times explicitly. Be warned, don’t read the novel if you can’t face the ugly aspects of our nation, India.

It is many things, but not so much about a “Ministry” than chaos; and not so much about happiness than all things horrible laid out in terrible excruciating detail. This particular theme of several and varied painted truths, real truths and the profound truths, and the underlying irony between them is too overpowering for anything else the book has to offer. Therefore, there is a phrase in the book that best describes itself, “… the more truthful emblem of the times…”; truthful emblem of our political climate; or truthful emblem of the mistakes/faults of our Army, politicians, bureaucrats, activists, journalists and us: citizens.

The Story At The Heart Of All Stories…

The story is of a eunach Anjum, Saddam Hussein (a Dalit), Dr Azad Bhartiya (an activist), Miss Jabeen the Second (an abondoned child), Imam Ziauddin (an abandoned parent), Maryam Ipe (a teacher), Revathy ( a Maoist) and Tilo (sometimes a wanderer, a kidnapper, a Kashmiri militant’s lover, a stenographer) and how they, after having lived, struggled, persecuted and overcome or given up on  the chaotic, oppressive, inhuman ‘Duniya’ had found a safe haven or a resting place in Jannat Guest House and Funeral Services.

Be warned, again, there is no optimism or happiness in The Ministry Of Utmost Happiness. Maybe assurance. Assurance in the theory that Kashmir will be a heaven again; assurance in the beating heart of a child (Miss Jabeen the Second), in its innocence, in hope for its promising future; assurance in the magic that Tilo and Musa will somehow complete their love story through the cracks in the barrier, between the living and the dead. Assurance that dies when the author makes us wonder how long a nation can stand having threatened and destroyed lands, homes, way of life and existence of so many groups. Assurance that dies when we are shown our own ignorance and lack of empathy. The details of the methods and patterns in which atrocities are committed in our country (Rise of Hindutva, Gujarat 2002 Riots, Capitalism,

Dispute of Kashmir, Emergency, Sexual Crimes, War Crimes), begs us to question our humanity. Especially in this moment of our history, when our minds have muddled pictures of the past and future, The Ministry of Utmost Happiness gives a clear picture of our present– at times through a simple poem like this-

” Mohabbat goliyon se bo rahe ho

 Watan ka chehra khoon se dho rahe ho

 Gumaan tum ko ke rasta katt raha hai

 Yakeen mujhko ke manzil kho rahe ho

 

Bullets you sow instead of love

Our homeland you wash with blood

You imagine you are showing the way

But I believe you have gone astray”

In this regard: for its edifying quality, it is an important book.

Characters And Writing…

Apart from helping us understand our political and social environment from the possible and seemingly impossible but probably possible viewpoints, the book leaves much unexplored.

While we can admire the characters for their depth and their strength, maybe except Anjum, the characters seem to be static. However, the myriad characters and the way each exhibit a part of a spectrum, makes up for not divulging into characters like how maybe Khaled Hosseini had with Laila, Maryam, Hasan and Amir: utterly emotionally; passionately binding them to the readers and devastating them in the process.

But it seems it was important for the novel to cover the spectrum rather than stick to a character. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have the influence it has on its readers. Nevertheless, the readers could forget the characters, but the message of these characters is well-delivered and imprinted in their mind.

The writing is, of course, that of a master. To be honest, even though it is shocking, we are not unfamiliar with these characters, their stories and how both of them progress, but it is the author’s web of mystery combined with truth, information, and perceptive nuances, along with beautiful and engrossing language that makes all the difference. For instance, for a long time, I will imagine how Rasoolan’s “…deep, gravelly, masculine voice…” followed “…languorously…the beads as they skittered around the bedroom floor.”

There is some Urdu poetry sprinkled throughout The Ministry Of Utmost Happiness (that seems nothing less than a reward) and an astute humour (that crops up so unexpectedly) that make the novel pleasurable.

In Conclusion…

The book as it says is dedicated “to the unconsoled”, but it is about the “unconsoled” and for the ignorant (both intentional and unintentional) and deluded. The Ministry Of Utmost Happiness shows us that we are as good as our reality, which fortunately or unfortunately, we create in our minds…

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy about?

The novel is a complex narrative exploring contemporary India through interconnected stories. It addresses political turmoil, social injustices, and human struggles, presenting multiple perspectives on India’s reality. The book critiques government policies, military actions, and societal issues through carefully woven fictional accounts.

How long did Arundhati Roy take to write The Ministry of Utmost Happiness?

Roy spent 10 years writing the novel, which was announced in 2007. This extended period allowed her to incorporate 20 years of activist work and research into the narrative. The meticulous approach reflects Roy’s commitment to authenticity and detailed storytelling.

Is The Ministry of Utmost Happiness a difficult book to read?

Yes, it can be challenging due to its unflinching portrayal of India’s ugly realities and complex narrative structure. Roy doesn’t shy away from depicting violence, injustice, and systemic failures. Readers should be prepared for disturbing content and dense storytelling.

Why is The Ministry of Utmost Happiness important for Indian readers?

The novel serves as a truthful mirror to contemporary India, addressing pressing socio-political issues often overlooked in mainstream discourse. It exposes governmental corruption, military conduct, and bureaucratic failures through powerful narratives. For Indian readers seeking authentic perspectives on national issues, it’s invaluable.

How does The Ministry of Utmost Happiness compare to The God of Small Things?

While both showcase Roy’s literary brilliance, The Ministry is darker and more overtly political than her debut. God of Small Things focuses on family and personal tragedy; Ministry addresses national-level socio-political crises. Both demonstrate Roy’s mastery but serve different purposes.