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The Competent Authority

Shovon Chowdhury

454 Pages
2013

The Competent Authority

A Novel

Aleph

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The Competent Authority - Summary

In this dystopian novel set in a near-future India, the country lies in ruins after a devastating Chinese nuclear attack. The story centers around a twisted bureaucrat known only as the Competent Authority (CA), who rules the fractured nation through the Bureau of Reconstruction with terrifying efficiency. As the CA develops a sinister plan to eliminate the entire population, humanity's last hope rests with an unlikely hero: Pintoo, a 12-year-old mutant from the slums, who assembles an unusual team including a corrupt policeman, a determined CBI officer, and the last surviving Al Qaeda member to prevent the impending catastrophe.

Key Themes

1

Abuse of Power and Bureaucratic Control

A detailed exploration of how bureaucratic systems can become weapons of oppression when unchecked, illustrated through the CA's manipulation of governmental structures to achieve absolute control.

2

Survival and Resistance in Post-Apocalyptic India

The novel examines how society adapts to catastrophic change, showing both the breakdown of traditional structures and the emergence of new forms of resistance and hope in the face of destruction.

3

Unlikely Heroes and Redemption

Through characters like Pintoo and his mismatched team, the story demonstrates how heroism can emerge from unexpected sources, and even flawed individuals can find purpose in fighting for the greater good.

FAQ's

The book serves as a satirical mirror to present-day bureaucracy, corruption, and social inequality in India, exaggerating these elements to highlight their potential consequences in a dystopian future.

The CA represents the ultimate evolution of bureaucratic power gone wrong - anonymous, methodical, and terrifyingly logical in his approach to mass destruction, making him a unique villain who embodies systemic rather than personal evil.

Pintoo's character, as a young mutant from the slums, represents the power of the marginalized to effect change. His youth and mutation symbolize both the future and the consequences of the disaster, making him the perfect counterpoint to the CA's rigid authority.

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