Everybody Loves a Used Drought by P. Sainath (rare books)

Book Summary 

Everybody Loves a Used Drought is a thought-provoking book by P. Sainath, a renowned Indian journalist and author, known for his work on rural India and its challenges. The book, published in 1996, is a collection of Sainath’s writings and reports about the plight of India’s rural poor, particularly focusing on the impact of droughts and the consequences of government neglect.

In this collection, Sainath addresses the stark realities of rural life, especially in the face of recurring droughts and poor monsoons. The book takes a deep dive into the stories of people who face severe hardship in villages, often due to inadequate infrastructure, government indifference, and environmental mismanagement. The author provides a gritty and unflinching portrayal of the struggles of farmers, laborers, and others dependent on agriculture, many of whom find themselves trapped in cycles of poverty, debt, and despair.

One of the primary themes of the book is the human cost of drought and how it affects communities. Sainath examines how the droughts of the 1990s in India were not merely natural disasters but were exacerbated by poor policy decisions, water mismanagement, and lack of proper government response. The book also delves into the role of the media in highlighting or ignoring the issues faced by rural communities.

Through powerful and often heartbreaking stories, Everybody Loves a Used Drought calls attention to the severe imbalances in India’s development, especially the neglect of rural areas in comparison to urban centers.

About the Author: 

P. Sainath is a prominent Indian journalist and photojournalist, known for his extensive and empathetic coverage of rural India. He is widely recognized for his work on the impact of economic policies on the rural poor, the challenges of agriculture, and the suffering caused by droughts and famines in India. Sainath’s journalism is marked by his deep understanding of the socio-economic issues facing the country’s rural population.

He is perhaps best known for his book Everybody Loves a Used Drought, which has earned praise for its honest and unflinching portrayal of the hardships faced by India's rural communities. In addition to his writing, Sainath has contributed to various media outlets, and he has been a fierce advocate for the rights of marginalized people. His work has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award.

Sainath's approach to journalism is often referred to as "ground-reporting," as he spent much of his career traveling extensively to rural areas to report firsthand on the lives of the rural poor. His unique style of in-depth reporting brings out the human side of these issues, creating a strong emotional connection with readers.