For many years, from my late twenties to mid-thirties, I shared a cherished ritual with Andre Beteille: a weekly walk every Saturday. Living just a door apart in Jor Bagh, we would stroll to Lodhi Gardens or occasionally to Safdarjung's Tomb, engaging in conversations that shaped my perspective on life and intellect.
A Humble Beginning in Delhi
I had recently moved to Delhi, feeling lonely and overwhelmed by my new job. When I tried to confide in Andre about my struggles, he seemed indifferent at first. This initial reaction wounded me, but I soon realized his disinterest was not dismissive; it was a lesson in perspective. He helped me see that the anxieties of a twenty-something were not unique, and there were far more significant topics to explore.
Conversations That Mattered
Our walks became a forum for deep discussions. We debated weighty issues like the morality of the death penalty, the effectiveness of reservations in India, and literary comparisons, such as whether Dostoevsky surpassed Tolstoy. As our bond grew, we delved into Andre's personal history, arguing about his parents. I admired his feisty Bengali mother, while he often reflected on his gentler French father, whom he viewed differently than I did.
Reflections on Intellectual Peers
Andre shared insights about his contemporaries, the renowned economists Amartya Sen, Jagdish Bhagwati, and Sukhomoy Chakraborty, who were stars in India's intellectual scene during the 1960s. He respected Bhagwati for championing free-market ideas when they were unpopular, felt a mix of admiration and hesitation towards Sen, and regarded Chakraborty as a great intellect. In his own telling, Andre never saw himself as part of this elite group, preferring to observe from the sidelines.
The Path of a True Scholar
Andre's life choices reinforced his humility. He studied at St Xavier's in Kolkata, not the more prestigious Presidency College, and chose to work entirely in India, never teaching at global institutions like Oxford or Harvard. Unlike Chakraborty, he did not influence government policy directly. His views were moderate, avoiding extreme left or right ideologies, and he believed caste was not the sole lens to understand India. These beliefs made him a subtle rebel, living a life free from vanity, fashion, and the allure of prestige and power.
A Final Encounter
The last time I saw Andre was after a personal tragedy—the loss of my son. He had become more reclusive, spending days in his room, speaking little. When he asked how I was, I broke down in tears. True to his nature, he watched silently, offering calm solace. Noticing Amartya Sen's memoirs on his table, I read aloud Sen's warm words about him. Andre listened politely, and when I asked what he thought about all day, he smiled and pointed to a photo of his beloved grandson, saying, "I think about him." This moment encapsulated his gentle, focused spirit.
Andre Beteille exemplified the true scholar's way: thinking clearly, avoiding self-deception, and carving a narrow, honest path. His legacy is one of intellectual integrity and quiet wisdom, leaving a lasting impression on those who knew him.
