Being Different  (English, Hardcover, Malhotra Rajiv)

Being Different: An Indian Challenge To Western Universalism analyses the differences between Western and Indian cultural ideologies, and the impact of each civilization’s understanding of the other.

Summary Of The Book

Being Different: An Indian Challenge To Western Universalism, published in 2011, is a book that shifts India’s position from being the observed to becoming the observer. The author compares the Western civilization and the Indian civilization, and takes an in-depth look into the beliefs of both cultures. India, with its diverse traditions and spiritual beliefs, is a kind of society that was not under the dominant western culture. However, in modern times, mainly due to globalization, India is losing its distinctive culture, along with it the potential it holds.

Malhotra says that India’s cultural and spiritual beliefs are rooted on the principle of dharma, which does not exist in the West. Being Different: An Indian Challenge To Western Universalism illustrates how the Indian society is comfortable with diversities, whereas the Western society is not as welcoming. The book also shows how dharmic traditions focus on the inner self, whereas the Judeo-Christian beliefs are based on particular individuals and places. Readers will also learn that the western perspective demonstrates that there are separate essences for God, human souls, and the world. In contrast, Indian faith says that everything emerges from the same source. The author also explains how chaos is seen as a positive entity by Indians, whereas the western world believes in strict order. Unlike languages that have originated in the west, Sanskrit’s basic sounds are connected to the objects they represent.

Being Different: An Indian Challenge To Western Universalism explains how the world needs to focus on multi-civilizations, rather than just on western universalism. This book challenges beliefs, and says that mutual respect between different cultures is required, instead of just tolerance. The book is refreshing, and unlike most books in this genre, it is not difficult to comprehend.

About Rajiv Malhotra

Rajiv Malhotra, born in 1950, is an Indian-American author, philanthropist, entrepreneur, public speaker, and management consultant.
His works include Vivekananda's Ideas And The Two Revolutions In Western Thought, The Axis Of Neo-Colonialism, Breaking India: Western Interventions In Dravidian And Dalit Faultlines, and India And Globalization.

Malhotra is an alumnus of St. Stephens College, New Delhi, where he was a student of Physics. He then joined Syracuse University to pursue Computer Science. The author has worked in IT and media firms, and retired at the age of 44. In 1995, he started the Infinity Foundation and is currently its Director. His writes about current affairs, Indian culture, world religions, and cross-cultural encounters. He is a prominent blogger, and blogs for Outlook India, Huffington Post, and Rediff.