Chetan Bhagat offers life rules for new India’s urban youth 

Best-selling author Chetan Bhagat, who recently released his book, 11 Rules for Life: Secrets to Level Up, believes that rare, social-class transitions are possible with the right tools

Twenty years after his breakthrough novel Five Point Someone: What Not to Do at IIT catapulted him to literary stardom, best-selling author Chetan Bhagat is out with yet another book, this one non-fiction.

The book, 11 Rules for Life: Secrets to Level Up, claims to be a candid exploration of contemporary Indian society, offering insights for young Indians navigating it. It draws from personal experiences of success and failure, states the 50-year-old author at a session titled 11 Rules for Life held at the recently concluded Bangalore Literature Festival.

Bhagat, who was in conversation with journalist Anuradha SenGupta on this occasion, reflected on his journey with frankness. “I was never an athletic kid, but I made up for that by achieving the most I could—from getting into competitive institutions to writing bestselling books,” he says. “Validation became what I was striving for. I might have been the fastest rat in the race, but I was a rat with its tail on fire.”

The book delves into Bhagat’s nuanced analysis of urban Indian society, stratifying it into three distinct classes. He identifies a top 1% comprising those with “God-given talent and creativity,” followed by a 10% upper-middle-class professional segment with access to opportunities. The remaining 90%—millions in a nation of billions—are those who, in Bhagat’s words, simply “want to jump their aukaat, which can be loosely translated to social standing.

Acknowledging the complexity of social mobility, Bhagat notes the uniqueness of the term ‘aukaat,’ stating, “There is no English equivalent for this word, which just goes to show how ingrained class is in our societies,” he says, using his own life as an example to drive home the point that, while rare, social-class transitions are possible with the right tools.

Among his recommendations, Bhagat highlights the importance of English language proficiency. Anticipating criticism, he argues that despite exceptions, linguistic skills and personal presentation can significantly impact professional prospects. “It’s just the way it is,” he explains.

Holistic fitness

The author also emphasises the need for holistic fitness, extending beyond mere exercise to also encompass diet and sleep patterns. He encourages readers to move away from “cheap dopamine hits” and invest in long-term personal development habits away from social media dictions.

Another thing Bhagat candidly addresses is the trade-offs of passion-driven careers, noting, “Pursuing your passions comes at a cost,” he says, pointing out that a man with a 9-5 job may be able to afford his family more time than a person working 24/7 on a passion project. “It is a privilege to be able to make that choice,” he believes.

Published - December 17, 2024 08:00 am IST