The Indian the world knows is a myth, says diplomat and author Pavan K.Varma, 'created by a quantum leap of logic, an ideological sleight of hand that derives an untenable ought from an undeniable is'. Traits often attributed to the world's 1.2billion Indians - democratic temperament, spirituality, tolerance, a non-violent nature and a lack of materialism - are illusions created by other nationalities but now accepted as true on the subcontinent.

Varma's controversial book sets about deconstructing the 'myths' and recasting the real Indian. He cites historical Indian literature and contemporary sociological theory, newspaper columns and social meetings, old proverbs and new jokes.

Being Indian depicts a nation of people who lust after and respect power and the pursuit of wealth. Corruption is rampant and accepted without compunction. Democracy prevails in India not because Indians are democratic, but because 'democracy has proved to be the most effective instrument for the cherished pursuit of power'. Varma writes of a 'natural amorality' where private beliefs can never come in the way of personal benefits, a slavery to authority and the propensity of Indians to accept the status quo and thereby breed mediocrity.

Varma argues, however, that some of the apparent negativities of Hindu society (he uses the terms 'Hindu' and 'Indian' interchangeably due to the overwhelming majority of Hindus in the population) will also help Indians to make their mark globally this century. Indians, he says, are pragmatic, incorrigibly hopeful, extremely enterprising and result-oriented.

With the country's population expected to expand this century to the point when one in six people in the world will be an Indian, this is an important book. But there are bound to be gaps in a theory that attempts to neatly bundle a whole nation. Varma ignores the social impact of the rapid changes taking place in Indian society - and the new Indian personality destined to emerge from the economic liberation and the fact that more than half the population is below the age of 35.