Whole Numbers and Half Truths: What Data Can and Cannot Tell Us About Modern India Hardcover – December 6, 2021

Very well researched, easily readable. Everyone should read this book to be informed about the world with real data, and not influential opinions that are often misguided.

I am a Professor of Culture Studies and Humanities at a Mumbai College of Architecture (BSSA-NM) and was thoroughly overjoyed on reading Rukmini's eye-opening book - Whole Numbers and Half Truths. I know how vital and crucial real data is to dispel myths and falsehoods that are daily spread especially through the media and other forms of propaganda. For e.g - the idea that caste is hardly of consequence in Modern India today - and the truth that just 4% of young married persons revealed their spouse belonged to a different caste group. Also that 45% of voters said that it was important for them that a candidate of their own caste wins their constituencies election. The book includes other incredible data that shows only the top 5% of urban India spends more than Rs 8500 per month and 95% of Indians have NEVER migrated outside the city of their birth. Kudos to Rukmini and her path-breaking book that mirrors the real 21st century India.

This book is an eye-opener. It is not a mere collection of data and stats about India but a very provocative , extensively researched book which demystifies several myths and superficial observational attributes of Indian society in general and the public institutions . I recently saw an interview of the author on The Print ,an online news portal. In this interview she discusses a gist about the book. I soon became very curious to read this book especially the title of the book was very fascinating. I received the book on 12th of December , after going through the book my perception about the Indian society and governance at large became quite clear . In this book I came across several eye-opening realities , factswhich made me understand the fact that Indian society is not as it appears in news channels, high decibel T.V debates and the eye-catching bold headlines of newspaper. There are some eyebrow raising truths which are not discussed in the Indian media but they are given a fair place in this book.Data quoted in this book is from extremely credible source,infact the source of the data is also provided. This book is the first of its kind. In my opinion this piece of meticulous work is highly recommended. I would like to congratulate the author for hard work in bringing out this masterpiece which is the first of its kind .

A combination of best available data, insight into data quality and limitations and a real world context to back up any assertion. Areas of uncertainty expressed clearly and balanced interpretation- I really enjoyed reading this book

I preordered this book as I was curious to know what the half truths were about data in India. I found it easy to read and engaging. This is an important work that needs to reach many people in this country.

I was expecting a lot from this book but to be frank there’s nothing in this book that I would take home. There are better books on the subject available. The data is old, the analysis is obvious… not something that we can’t do on our own, and that means we learn nothing.I was disappointed.