Mad(e) In India

Mad(e) In India is a witty, light-hearted exploration of Indianness—its quirks, chaos, traditions, and the vibrant spirit that unites us.

on Aug 20, 2025

India is a country of contradictions, festivals, and curiosities—and Mad(e) In India distills all this with equal amounts of humor and affection. Written by Soumya Gupta, an Indian Foreign Service officer with deep exposures to economics, diplomacy, and the arts, and Tarika Roy, a senior civil servant and national-level basketball player with a deep love of history and culture, the book incorporates the varied experiences and sharp perceptions of its authors.

At its core, Mad(e) In India is a witty but insightful mirror to Indian society. With incisive humor and a conversational style, Gupta and Roy pull apart what it really is to be "Indian." From the maze-like bedlam of our cities to the divinity of our myriad gods and godmen, from our filmy fixation to the jugaadu fixes that characterize daily life, the book raises the contradictions that make India so distinctive.

What sets the book apart is its reluctance to condemn or sentimentalize—it meets sincerity with fondness. The text is laced with homespun anecdotes and colloquialisms that make readers chuckle knowingly, as well as forcing them to reflect more deeply on the "Indianness" that unites us against our enormous diversity.

For newcomer readers, the book is an entertaining cultural map that's full of colour, chaos, and character. For Indians themselves, it is both a witty reminder of our foibles and a tribute to the resilience, largesse, and hospitality that underpin the nation.

Whether a student of culture, an inquiring traveller, or just a light-hearted reader who wants to be 'in on' a story, Mad(e) In India is a pleasure to share the numerous colours of India.