INDIAN SCIENTISTWALA KANFERENCE

𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗮 𝗞𝗮𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
𝗕𝘆 𝗦. 𝗕. 𝗔𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗯𝗵𝘆𝗮
𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿: 𝗞𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗼𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀
𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: 𝟐𝟎𝟎
𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱: 𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿: 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

The story introduces us to Ira, a tribal girl deeply troubled when her new teacher skips her name during attendance. At first, Ira is indignant, confident that her name has gone unnoticed. However, after a brief back-and-forth with the teacher, the startling revelation comes to light—her official name isn’t Ira, but "Indian Scientistwala Kanference". Ira is left in shock as she learns about the unusual custom in her tribe, where newborns are given names after benefactors or sponsors. Thus, this leads to bizarre names like "Harvard 8000" and "Unilever Godown 23" reflecting a quirky yet poignant tradition of honouring those who have contributed to the community.
Ira’s internal struggle becomes the heart of the story as she recognizes that her identity, represented by her name, is tied to a practice that feels strange and disconnected from who she truly is. Yet, amidst this confusion, her brother emerges as a supportive figure, encouraging her to embrace the future and aspire to something greater. He urges Ira to become a scientist and to one day present her research at the Indian Science Congress—the very event her unusual name references. The larger question is whether a girl from a tribe that has never sent a female to high school can overcome societal barriers and live up to the name "Indian Scientistwala Kanference". Ira’s journey is not just about personal identity but also about breaking free from the limitations imposed on her by tradition, gender, and circumstance. Her path to becoming a scientist symbolizes a larger struggle for empowerment and self-determination in a community that, while rich in culture, has historically restricted opportunities for girls.

In this story, the plot is excellent, and the author has done a commendable job of creating a compelling and thought-provoking. The characters are highly relatable, and the story shines a light on significant issues within our education system—such as discrimination-based on caste, colour, financial status, and appearance. It also highlights the lack of faculty in educational institutions and how brilliant students from rural or underprivileged backgrounds are sometimes not supported by their teachers. These are important themes, and the book portrays them logically and effectively, making the concept profoundly impactful. This story thoughtfully explores themes of identity, cultural customs, and the challenges of ambition in the face of adversity. Ira’s journey offers hope and inspiration as she seeks to redefine her future on her terms and in her own way.

One character who particularly stood out to me was Dr. Chandrika. Ideally, teachers should embody her qualities—she is the mentor every student deserves. Despite facing discrimination and neglect during her doctoral journey, she chose to rise above and become an exceptional guide for her students. Her character is a reminder of how we can break cycles of unfair treatment by offering kindness and support to others.
Despite the clear language and enjoyment of the story, I did find the writing style to be different than I'm used to, which slowed the pacing. This book could have been more engaging and fast-paced if the writing style had been more polished. Additionally, some editing issues stood out. Sometimes, it was difficult to discern between dialogue and narrative, as proper markers were missing, which could confuse readers. I had to reread certain sentences to understand their meaning. It felt as though the book had not been carefully proofread, and these small details slightly affected the overall reading experience. Despite these challenges, the story itself is inspiring and engaging. With more attention to editing and clarity, this book would shine and become an even more compelling read.

My Rating:

3/5

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