This book is no competition to “The Inscrutable Americans” that was the first book of author Anurag Mathur. That one was real good humor and satire and I have already written about it earlier. “Making the Minister Smile” is his attempt to write about political corruption in India and he had some success in doing it. Since the idea of political corruption is hot in the media currently, I thought of writing about this book though there is very little in the book that inspires.
The story is about industrialist family who are facing labor trouble in their factory. The union leaders are asking for unreasonable demands. The family seeks intervention from Minister but do not get favorable hearing. Their problems increase as they look for alternate solution including connection to first family of politics. Eventually, they are able to offer some solution that makes the minister smile and their problems are solved.
The whole story is about what all a person has to do to make a minister smile. There are layers of connections, subtle hints which flow from the political system which needs to be understood by people if they wish to survive in business. Author has also taken liberty with portrayal of social fabric in India where wives are getting more bold about their needs and life of poor people has little meaning and is considered expendable. I felt that the author could not do justice to the whole subject and somehow the presentation of satire, humor got mixed up with a serious topic.