c
 


  
O

 

If you are an IITian, you will probably relate very well to this light-
hearted narrative about the life of three average guys at the Indian
Institute of Technology, Delhi (And if you are an IITian you would also
know what ³average´ in IIT means). If you are not an IITian, you will
still enjoy this book like I did (I am not even a techie). Five Point
Someone: What Not to Do at IIT may be about life in IIT, but the
characters are as interesting as in any other book and are very un-IIT
like (That says a lot). According to the author, Chetan Bhagat, this
book is not about how to get into IIT or what to do once you are in,
but what not to do there.

The autobiographical account lends itself to fine character

development. The book is fast paced and has very funny
conversational style plus lingo typical to those who come from the
institution. A little eccentric (little may be the understatement of the
year), IITians may be, but they are considered to be one of the most
elite groups in the world. Wouldn¶t say that about the three guys in
Five Point Someone who manage to scrape through IIT, not without a
few hair-raising incidents here and there. I would definitely give this
book more than a five point something on a ten-point scale.

My friend and I both read this book and got into a discussion. Here
goes.

: So what do you think, eh? Is the whole thing like typically what
happens there?

: Dunno. Haven¶t been there, but have heard a lot of stories from
friends. Sounds pretty much like what happens there once in a while,
but maybe not all the time.

: This guy Hari, the main character, he seems like the prototypical
intelligent sensitive guy who gets swayed easily by his friends. Seems
to have no fixed opinions. Kind of like me.

 (smiles): Don¶t know about that part, but yes, Hari seems very
intuitive right from the beginning. But it¶s Ryan Oberoi, who is my
favorite. Standing up for his friends on every occasion. Man, I admire
his guts. And I liked the raunchy humor in this book, most of it thanks
to Ryan. Like that coke bottle thing! (Giggles)
 (after I finish laughing): But I don¶t get one thing. He has rich
parents; he stands 91st in India in the IIT entrance (for those who are
not familiar to the system, this means that he is probably in the
Einstein category of brainy people) and then what? He screws up
everything by loafing around. He is barely a five-pointer in IIT. Sounds
strange.

: Maybe the pressure got to him. I have seen guys like that. They
stop caring after a certain point.

: But have you seen guys like Alok who can cry at the drop of a
hat? Of course, he comes from a very impoverished background, has a
sister to marry off, a sick father and all that, but hey«

: Wait. Wait. There are guys like that too. The melodrama could have
been cut down. Alok is too sentimental. I can understand Ryan not
being able to stand him sometimes.

: Though he is kinda cute sometimes too. Poor Alok. Who do you
think the author is out of the three?

: I would say Hari. Hari is projected in a very neutral manner. I like

the way Ryan and Alok get to crib about this in chapters provided
exclusively for them to vent their feelings.

: Yes, that¶s a creative concept in a book. By the way, what do you
think about the whole story?

: Its funny indeed, the things that keep happening to these guys.
And the things Ryan comes up with for them to do, like for instance
signing with their blood indeed (And you thought Tom Sawyer was
gross). As for the ³longest day in Hari¶s life´ episode, I found it a little
far-fetched.

: Yeah, plus the ending could have been a little different. Though I
can¶t say that I was left unsatisfied.

: Overall, a good book according to me. Brings out a lot of issues in

the education system in India in general. Of course, IIT is way ahead
in terms of competition compared to other institutions.

: And Ryan says IIT hasn¶t contributed to India¶s development. I

think that is not true.
: Yes, There definitely have been many scientific innovations brought
out by the institution, but in general, the rule of thumb is that the
good guys in IIT go abroad.

: Nowadays, that¶s the rule of thumb with every technological

institution. Then why blame IITians?

: Anyway, I think some IITians would dread reading this book cause
they wouldn¶t want to be reminded of their harrowing experiences
there.

 (Smiling): Harrowing, but rib-tickling too. I am sure most of them

have a lot to cherish.

: And this book will take them back. In fact, it took me back to my
college days too.

: Gotta go. Can I take the book with me? Am going to lend this
book to my IITian friend, Ranganathan. Let¶s see what he says about
it.

: Why? Are you conducting an opinion poll or something?

: No, I just want to write a good book review. Bye.

A.K.Singh

2 I/C