From tracing the possible first arrival of man in India to writing about love, sex, money, parenting and values in Indian society and discussing nationalism, religion and democracy, Miniya Chatterji presents an accessible yet brilliant intellectual treatise about issues that affect Indians the most. Indian Instincts is a seminal and deeply philosophical work, presented tactfully with entertaining and memorable instances. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to know what makes an Indian. The vivid and insightful examples make us reflect: Are we willingly entrapped in the institutions of our own making? Have these institutions-the government, corporations, religion-become sources of the problem in India, increasing economic inequality?
This book, a collection of fifteen powerful essays that argue for greater equality and opportunity in contemporary India, holds up a mirror to what we Indians have become.

Contents Part 1. Instincts. Survival ; Evolution ; Exploration ; Procreation -- Part 2. Anchors. Love ; Parenting ; Values ; Nationalism -- Part 3. Trapped in our own making. Democracy ; Religion ; Corporations -- Part 4. Chaos. Money ; Decibels ; Aesthetics -- Part 5. Conclusion. Freedom.