Key Ideas
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Imagine being in the shoes of Ram Mohammad Thomas, a man who finds himself in a terrifying situation after winning a quiz show. He's being subjected to brutal torture by Inspector Godbole, who is hell-bent on making him sign a false confession of cheating. Picture him hanging from a beam, his body wracked with pain, when suddenly, a beacon of hope arrives in the form of a young woman lawyer, Smita Shah.
Smita barges into the scene, demanding to see the legal documents for Thomas' arrest. She's not afraid to stand up to Godbole, even threatening to remove Thomas from the police station if the inspector doesn't comply. Feeling the pressure, Godbole leaves to consult with the police commissioner.
Fast forward a bit, and we find Thomas in Smita's house. He had passed out from the torture, and upon waking, he finds himself in a safe haven. Smita is determined to help him prove his innocence. She has a DVD of the quiz show and encourages Thomas to explain how he knew the answers to the questions. She believes in his innocence and wants him to trust her.
Thomas decides to take a leap of faith and confides in Smita. He tells her that he was simply "lucky" - the questions asked by the host were ones he knew the answers to. Smita, in turn, asks him to go through each question and explain how he knew the answers. She promises to listen with an open mind, ready to fight for justice.
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"Slumdog Millionaire" by Vikas Swarup is a gripping tale of life, luck, and destiny. The protagonist, Ram Mohammad Thomas, is an orphan from the slums of Mumbai who becomes a contestant on a game show and wins a billion rupees. The story unfolds as Ram is accused of cheating and he recounts his life experiences that helped him answer each question correctly. The book is a vivid portrayal of the harsh realities of life in the slums, the corruption in Indian society, and the power of knowledge and experience.
10 Actions to Implement Learnings from the Book:
Embrace Diversity: Like Ram Mohammad Thomas, who has a name that represents three major religions of India, we should embrace diversity and respect all cultures and religions.
Value Life Experiences: Ram's life experiences helped him win the game show. We should value our experiences as they are a source of knowledge and wisdom.
Stand Against Injustice: Ram's life is filled with instances where he stood against injustice. We should also raise our voice against any form of injustice we witness.
Never Give Up: Despite the hardships, Ram never gave up. We should also cultivate resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
Be Honest: Ram was honest throughout the game show and in his life. Honesty is a virtue that we should uphold in all aspects of our lives.
Value Education: The book highlights the importance of education and knowledge. We should strive for continuous learning and personal growth.
Help Others: Ram often helped others in need. We should also extend our help to those in need whenever possible.
Be Observant: Ram's keen observation skills helped him answer the questions on the game show. We should also be observant and mindful of our surroundings.
Challenge Stereotypes: The book challenges many stereotypes about the poor and the uneducated. We should also challenge and question stereotypes in our society.
Believe in Yourself: Despite being from the slums and having no formal education, Ram believed in himself and his abilities. We should also have faith in our abilities and believe in ourselves.
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