With or without Rushdie the festival charged forward and so did the many thousands of visitors. Likely the second most popular topic of discussion was the huge increases in turnout over the last several years so that the festival seemed to border on rock concert territory. Beware the book signing rushes.
The organization however was spectacular and rather than grinding to a halt the grounds hummed with excitement transferred quickly across the crowds. “Did you hear what Amy Chua just said about Chinese parents?” “Wow, Banerjee is too cool for school in his rockstar jacket.”
It turns out that Poor Economics has made quite a splash; we had a dyed in the wool CSR Indian bureaucrat take off on a sycophantic rave about the new 'bible of development.' Banerjee could only adjust the ruffles of his jacket. However, for all that, he was a little disappointing. Refusing to engage in debate with the other panelists or the audience and dismissing challenges as anecdotal. His mind must have been in a rural Rajasthani village.
Even without the biggest name and despite the crowds, the festival was an absolute must see. The combination of thought provoking speakers, a beautiful historical backdrop and great friends created an atmosphere that is truly remarkable. And the opportunity to run serendipitously into old friends was so exciting. The cheap draft beer doesn’t hurt either.
And in another twist to the plot, the whole visual of Rushdie evading “paid assassins” could have all just been made up. But who has the motive? The pundit machines whirrs…
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