'The Ministry of Utmost Happiness' Novel By Arundhati Roy : A Brief Discussion
Introduction : This blog is written as a response to the Thinking Activity assigned by Dr Dilip Barad regarding Arundhati Roy's novel 'The Ministry of Utmost Happiness' (2017) with few novel-related activities done in the blog.
Here one of the characters from the novel S. Tilottama's book titled as 'The Reader’s Digest Book of English Grammar and Comprehension for Very Young Children' is referred to for discussing any three of the stories given within the book.
1. THE OLD MAN & HIS SON
When Manzoor Ahmed Ganai became a militant, soldiers went to his home and picked up his father, the handsome, always dapper Aziz Ganai. He was kept in the Haider Baig Interrogation Centre. Manzoor Ahmed Ganai worked as a militant for one and a half years. His father remained imprisoned for one and a half years. On the day Manzoor Ahmed Ganai was killed, smiling soldiers opened the door of his father’s cell. ‘Jenaab, you wanted Azadi? Mubarak ho aapko. Congratulations! Today your wish has come true. Your freedom has come.’ The people of the village cried more for the shambling wreck who came running through the orchard in rags with wild eyes and a beard and hair that hadn’t been cut in a year and a half than they did for the boy who had been murdered. The shambling wreck was just in time to be able to lift the shroud and kiss his son’s face before they buried him.
Q 1: Why did the villagers cry more for the shambling wreck?
Answer : The villagers cried more for the shambling wreck who is Aziz Ganai because they sympathized the old man as his son is went off the life which they assumed will make Aziz the old man disheartened upon his freedom from jail.
Q 2: Why did the wreck shamble?
Answer : Aziz Ganai shambles because he did not have enough of food for one and a half years, and second reason was that he was aspiring to go back to his home after a long captivity he went through, third reason was that he wanted to meet his young son who had turned militant and was later on killed by the soldiers upon Aziz Ganai 'the shambling wreck' was set free.
2. THE VIRGIN
The fidayeen attack that had been planned on the army camp was aborted at the last minute by none other than the fidayeen themselves. They took this decision because Abid Ahmed alias Abid Suzuki, the driver of the Maruti Suzuki they were in, was driving really badly. The little car veered sharply to the left, then sharply to the right, as though it was dodging something. But the road was empty and there was nothing to dodge. When Abid Suzuki’s companions (none of whom knew how to drive) asked him what the matter was, he said it was the houris who had come to take them all to heaven. They were naked and dancing on the bonnet, distracting him. There’s no way to ascertain whether the naked houris were virgins or not. But Abid Suzuki certainly was one.
Q 1: Why was Abid Suzuki driving badly?
Answer : Abid Suzuki told to the fellow sitters upon asked for his bad driving of Maruti Suzuki car that he was seeing naked houris that had come to take them to heaven, and they confused Abid as he ridiculously said that he failed to decide whether the houris were virgin or not.
Q 2: How do you establish a man’s virginity?
Answer : First of all, this is very pompous question seeming to have come from a narrow mind, before asking such a question, we first ask that why on earth we should look for such trivial matters which neither add to the understanding of life, nor do it enhance the thinking of people, instead it takes all backward both mentally and physically.
3. THE BRAVEHEART
Mehmood was a tailor in Budgam. His greatest desire was to have himself photographed posing with guns. Finally a school friend of his who had joined a militant group took him to their hideout and made his dream come true. Mehmood returned to Srinagar with the
negatives and took them to Taj Photo Studio to have prints made. He negotiated a 25-paisa discount for each print. When he went to pick up his prints the Border Security Force laid a cordon around Taj Photo Studio and caught him red-handed with the prints. He was taken to a camp and tortured for many days. He did not give away any information. He was sentenced to ten years in jail. The militant commander who facilitated the photography session was arrested a few months later. Two AK-47s and several rounds of ammunition were recovered from him. He was released after two months.
Q 1: Was it worth it?
Answer : It does not worth it. The superficiality of the Boarder Security Force is seen as it arrests the person who is innocent of crime just merely on the basis of pictures they found of him. Mehmood must not have been filed a sentence for ten-year-imprisonment as he was not found guilty by the officers. This type of prejudicial probing brings the innocent behind the bars.
Now, when ChatGPT Open AI was prompted, it responded as follows :
(1) Prompt : Write about Anjum from Arundhati Roy's novel 'The Ministry of Utmost Happiness'
Response : Anjum is a complex and fascinating character in Arundhati Roy's novel "The Ministry of Utmost Happiness." Born as Aftab, a boy, she identifies herself as a hijra, a third gender, and undergoes a sex-change operation to become a woman.
Anjum is raised in Old Delhi's Shahjahanabad area, where she grows up in the company of other hijras, whom she calls her "gurus." She becomes a popular figure in the community, known for her singing and dancing skills, and her ability to entertain people. Despite facing social exclusion and discrimination, Anjum is confident, brave, and proud of her identity.
As she grows older, Anjum starts her own business by opening a guesthouse for hijras and other marginalized people in a graveyard. She names it the Jannat Guest House, meaning "Paradise Guest House," and it becomes a sanctuary for the marginalized, where they can find refuge and companionship.
Anjum's life takes a dramatic turn when she becomes pregnant after having a one-night stand with a man named Saddam Hussein. After giving birth to her child, Anjum names her Zainab, and struggles to raise her as a single mother. Anjum's character deepens as she grapples with the challenges of motherhood while maintaining her identity as a hijra.
Throughout the novel, Anjum's character is also shaped by her relationships with other characters, such as her close friend, the activist Tilottama, and her lover, Musa. She becomes involved in political activism and joins a group that seeks justice for the victims of the 2002 Gujarat riots.
Anjum's story is a powerful portrayal of the struggles faced by hijras and other marginalized groups in India. She represents the resilience, courage, and determination of those who refuse to be silenced and marginalized, despite the odds against them. Overall, Anjum is a memorable character whose story highlights the complexity of human identity and the importance of acceptance and inclusion.
(2) Prompt : Write about Aftab from Arundhati Roy's novel 'The Ministry of Utmost Happiness'
Aftab is a major character in Arundhati Roy's novel "The Ministry of Utmost Happiness." He is a boy born in Old Delhi's Shahjahanabad area, and his story is one of self-discovery and identity.
As a young boy, Aftab realizes that he does not feel like a boy or a girl. He struggles to find his place in a society that rigidly adheres to binary gender norms, and he faces constant bullying and discrimination from his peers. His internal conflict and confusion eventually lead him to the hijra community, where he finds acceptance and support.
Aftab's journey to becoming Anjum, a hijra woman, is a poignant and complex one. He undergoes a sex-change operation, which is described in graphic detail in the novel, and he struggles to adapt to his new identity as a woman. Anjum's story is one of resilience and strength, as she navigates the challenges of being a hijra in a society that does not accept her.
Despite the difficulties she faces, Anjum is determined to make a life for herself. She opens a guesthouse for hijras and other marginalized people, which becomes a safe haven for those who are rejected by society. Anjum's business is successful, and she becomes a respected member of the hijra community.
Anjum's story is intertwined with that of other characters in the novel, and her journey is a powerful commentary on the complexities of identity and the importance of acceptance and inclusion. Overall, Aftab/Anjum is a memorable and important character in "The Ministry of Utmost Happiness," representing the struggles and resilience of those who defy societal norms and refuse to be silenced.
Here are the screenshots of the activity done on ChatGPT Open AI regarding the novel :
Thank you!
Here one of the characters from the novel S. Tilottama's book titled as 'The Reader’s Digest Book of English Grammar and Comprehension for Very Young Children' is referred to for discussing any three of the stories given within the book.
1. THE OLD MAN & HIS SON
When Manzoor Ahmed Ganai became a militant, soldiers went to his home and picked up his father, the handsome, always dapper Aziz Ganai. He was kept in the Haider Baig Interrogation Centre. Manzoor Ahmed Ganai worked as a militant for one and a half years. His father remained imprisoned for one and a half years. On the day Manzoor Ahmed Ganai was killed, smiling soldiers opened the door of his father’s cell. ‘Jenaab, you wanted Azadi? Mubarak ho aapko. Congratulations! Today your wish has come true. Your freedom has come.’ The people of the village cried more for the shambling wreck who came running through the orchard in rags with wild eyes and a beard and hair that hadn’t been cut in a year and a half than they did for the boy who had been murdered. The shambling wreck was just in time to be able to lift the shroud and kiss his son’s face before they buried him.
Q 1: Why did the villagers cry more for the shambling wreck?
Answer : The villagers cried more for the shambling wreck who is Aziz Ganai because they sympathized the old man as his son is went off the life which they assumed will make Aziz the old man disheartened upon his freedom from jail.
Q 2: Why did the wreck shamble?
Answer : Aziz Ganai shambles because he did not have enough of food for one and a half years, and second reason was that he was aspiring to go back to his home after a long captivity he went through, third reason was that he wanted to meet his young son who had turned militant and was later on killed by the soldiers upon Aziz Ganai 'the shambling wreck' was set free.
2. THE VIRGIN
The fidayeen attack that had been planned on the army camp was aborted at the last minute by none other than the fidayeen themselves. They took this decision because Abid Ahmed alias Abid Suzuki, the driver of the Maruti Suzuki they were in, was driving really badly. The little car veered sharply to the left, then sharply to the right, as though it was dodging something. But the road was empty and there was nothing to dodge. When Abid Suzuki’s companions (none of whom knew how to drive) asked him what the matter was, he said it was the houris who had come to take them all to heaven. They were naked and dancing on the bonnet, distracting him. There’s no way to ascertain whether the naked houris were virgins or not. But Abid Suzuki certainly was one.
Q 1: Why was Abid Suzuki driving badly?
Answer : Abid Suzuki told to the fellow sitters upon asked for his bad driving of Maruti Suzuki car that he was seeing naked houris that had come to take them to heaven, and they confused Abid as he ridiculously said that he failed to decide whether the houris were virgin or not.
Q 2: How do you establish a man’s virginity?
Answer : First of all, this is very pompous question seeming to have come from a narrow mind, before asking such a question, we first ask that why on earth we should look for such trivial matters which neither add to the understanding of life, nor do it enhance the thinking of people, instead it takes all backward both mentally and physically.
3. THE BRAVEHEART
Mehmood was a tailor in Budgam. His greatest desire was to have himself photographed posing with guns. Finally a school friend of his who had joined a militant group took him to their hideout and made his dream come true. Mehmood returned to Srinagar with the
negatives and took them to Taj Photo Studio to have prints made. He negotiated a 25-paisa discount for each print. When he went to pick up his prints the Border Security Force laid a cordon around Taj Photo Studio and caught him red-handed with the prints. He was taken to a camp and tortured for many days. He did not give away any information. He was sentenced to ten years in jail. The militant commander who facilitated the photography session was arrested a few months later. Two AK-47s and several rounds of ammunition were recovered from him. He was released after two months.
Q 1: Was it worth it?
Answer : It does not worth it. The superficiality of the Boarder Security Force is seen as it arrests the person who is innocent of crime just merely on the basis of pictures they found of him. Mehmood must not have been filed a sentence for ten-year-imprisonment as he was not found guilty by the officers. This type of prejudicial probing brings the innocent behind the bars.
Now, when ChatGPT Open AI was prompted, it responded as follows :
(1) Prompt : Write about Anjum from Arundhati Roy's novel 'The Ministry of Utmost Happiness'
Response : Anjum is a complex and fascinating character in Arundhati Roy's novel "The Ministry of Utmost Happiness." Born as Aftab, a boy, she identifies herself as a hijra, a third gender, and undergoes a sex-change operation to become a woman.
Anjum is raised in Old Delhi's Shahjahanabad area, where she grows up in the company of other hijras, whom she calls her "gurus." She becomes a popular figure in the community, known for her singing and dancing skills, and her ability to entertain people. Despite facing social exclusion and discrimination, Anjum is confident, brave, and proud of her identity.
As she grows older, Anjum starts her own business by opening a guesthouse for hijras and other marginalized people in a graveyard. She names it the Jannat Guest House, meaning "Paradise Guest House," and it becomes a sanctuary for the marginalized, where they can find refuge and companionship.
Anjum's life takes a dramatic turn when she becomes pregnant after having a one-night stand with a man named Saddam Hussein. After giving birth to her child, Anjum names her Zainab, and struggles to raise her as a single mother. Anjum's character deepens as she grapples with the challenges of motherhood while maintaining her identity as a hijra.
Throughout the novel, Anjum's character is also shaped by her relationships with other characters, such as her close friend, the activist Tilottama, and her lover, Musa. She becomes involved in political activism and joins a group that seeks justice for the victims of the 2002 Gujarat riots.
Anjum's story is a powerful portrayal of the struggles faced by hijras and other marginalized groups in India. She represents the resilience, courage, and determination of those who refuse to be silenced and marginalized, despite the odds against them. Overall, Anjum is a memorable character whose story highlights the complexity of human identity and the importance of acceptance and inclusion.
(2) Prompt : Write about Aftab from Arundhati Roy's novel 'The Ministry of Utmost Happiness'
Aftab is a major character in Arundhati Roy's novel "The Ministry of Utmost Happiness." He is a boy born in Old Delhi's Shahjahanabad area, and his story is one of self-discovery and identity.
As a young boy, Aftab realizes that he does not feel like a boy or a girl. He struggles to find his place in a society that rigidly adheres to binary gender norms, and he faces constant bullying and discrimination from his peers. His internal conflict and confusion eventually lead him to the hijra community, where he finds acceptance and support.
Aftab's journey to becoming Anjum, a hijra woman, is a poignant and complex one. He undergoes a sex-change operation, which is described in graphic detail in the novel, and he struggles to adapt to his new identity as a woman. Anjum's story is one of resilience and strength, as she navigates the challenges of being a hijra in a society that does not accept her.
Despite the difficulties she faces, Anjum is determined to make a life for herself. She opens a guesthouse for hijras and other marginalized people, which becomes a safe haven for those who are rejected by society. Anjum's business is successful, and she becomes a respected member of the hijra community.
Anjum's story is intertwined with that of other characters in the novel, and her journey is a powerful commentary on the complexities of identity and the importance of acceptance and inclusion. Overall, Aftab/Anjum is a memorable and important character in "The Ministry of Utmost Happiness," representing the struggles and resilience of those who defy societal norms and refuse to be silenced.
Here are the screenshots of the activity done on ChatGPT Open AI regarding the novel :
Thank you!
Works Cited :
“Chatgpt.” ChatGPT, https://chat.apps.openai.com/auth/login.
Roy, Arundhati. The Ministry of Utmost Happiness. Penguin Books, 2017.
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