2. Libya Diary: An Attempt to Seek the Inner Truth

In truth, I have little personal acquaintance with Uday Itagi. My introduction to him came through his writings when he began a column on Libya in Avadhi during his time in Libya for work. I recall responding to a couple of his articles, impressed by his work. However, when his column took the shape of a book, and I was invited to speak at its launch, I must admit I was initially apprehensive. This was because I lacked significant knowledge about Libya, a place not widely covered in the mainstream. When Uday Itagi assured me, saying, "My book itself contains plenty of information. All you need to do is share your thoughts," I felt encouraged by the open-ended opportunity for feedback and accepted the invitation with enthusiasm and curiosity about the book. As I read Libya Diary, things gradually became clearer. This is because we often tend to believe in a truth that is easily accessible on the surface. Today, including Indians, much of the world views reality through America’s perspective, accepting what America portrays as the “ultimate truth” and believing only what is visible to our naked eye as “real.” But this is merely an external truth. However, every nation has its own unique truth, its inner truth. To grasp this, we need to open our "inner eyes." When writing about distant, unfamiliar countries, a writer must explore a third dimension of truth—one that lies between the external truth believed by the outside world and the inner truth of that nation. Uday Itagi attempts to unearth such a truth in his Libya Diary. Having spent around six years in Libya, witnessing both Gaddafi’s rule and the post-Gaddafi era, Uday Itagi uses this book as a platform to seek answers to questions that arose within him during this time. Without outright rejecting the external truth presented by America or fully embracing the inner truth he observed among the Libyan people, he paints an honest picture of the Libya he experienced through his own inner lens. As a result, the book avoids sensationalism, imaginary narratives, or overly emotional storytelling. Instead, Uday takes a balanced and deliberate approach, examining and reflecting on every aspect thoughtfully. This makes the book one of the rarest and most objective works in Kannada on Muammar Gaddafi, giving it a distinct authenticity. The book can broadly be divided into two parts. On one side, it presents a portrait of Gaddafi while also documenting the social lives of ordinary Libyans. The notable aspect is that Uday’s interest doesn’t stop at merely sketching Gaddafi’s persona. Biographical works often carry the risk of idealizing their subject. Sometimes, in the process of chronicling someone’s life, the writer becomes so immersed that even the flaws of the individual are portrayed as virtues. Uday Itagi, however, approaches Gaddafi’s personality with utmost caution. He breaks apart the image of Gaddafi as the world’s ultimate villain, as portrayed by America, and reconstructs it as a complex blend of contradictions and eccentricities, delving into the layers of Gaddafi’s erratic personality and unveiling his human side. However, every nation has its own unique truth, its inner truth. To grasp this, we need to open our "inner eyes." When writing about distant, unfamiliar countries, a writer must explore a third dimension of truth—one that lies between the external truth believed by the outside world and the inner truth of that nation. Uday Itagi attempts to unearth such a truth in his Libya Diary. Having spent around six years in Libya, witnessing both Gaddafi’s rule and the post-Gaddafi era, Uday Itagi uses this book as a platform to seek answers to questions that arose within him during this time. Without outright rejecting the external truth presented by America or fully embracing the inner truth he observed among the Libyan people, he paints an honest picture of the Libya he experienced through his own inner lens. As a result, the book avoids sensationalism, imaginary narratives, or overly emotional storytelling. Instead, Uday takes a balanced and deliberate approach, examining and reflecting on every aspect thoughtfully. This makes the book one of the rarest and most objective works in Kannada on Muammar Gaddafi, giving it a distinct authenticity. The book can broadly be divided into two parts. On one side, it presents a portrait of Gaddafi while also documenting the social lives of ordinary Libyans. The notable aspect is that Uday’s interest doesn’t stop at merely sketching Gaddafi’s persona. Biographical works often carry the risk of idealizing their subject. Sometimes, in the process of chronicling someone’s life, the writer becomes so immersed that even the flaws of the individual are portrayed as virtues. Uday Itagi, however, approaches Gaddafi’s personality with utmost caution. He breaks apart the image of Gaddafi as the world’s ultimate villain, as portrayed by America, and reconstructs it as a complex blend of contradictions and eccentricities, delving into the layers of Gaddafi’s erratic personality and unveiling his human side. Who is Gaddafi? When we hear the name "Gaddafi," the first thought that comes to mind is that of a controversial and ruthless dictator. But there's much more to him than that. He was a highly complex personality: a tyrant but also a people’s leader, a shrewd strategist yet naive at times, a cold pragmatist but also a deeply emotional human being. Gaddafi transformed Libya—a small, almost insignificant country on the world map—into a nation that drew global attention. However, his life ended tragically, as he was brutally killed by his own people, abandoned and helpless in the streets. This narrative holds both external truths and deeper internal realities. Understanding Gaddafi’s Contradictions How can one make sense of Gaddafi amidst all these contradictions? Was he truly a dictator, or was he also a capable leader? How did he turn Libya into a prosperous, stable nation? These questions naturally arise. To understand him, it’s essential to explore the historical background of Libya. As many might know, Libya was an Italian colony. After World War II, Italy, grappling with its own internal struggles, loosened its grip on Libya. In 1951, Libya became an independent nation under the rule of King Idris. Then, in 1969, a 27-year-old Gaddafi seized power in a coup, overthrowing King Idris. Gaddafi’s Bold Actions Although Libya was rich in natural resources and oil reserves, its people lived in extreme poverty because foreign powers, particularly the U.S. and other Western countries, controlled these resources. One of Gaddafi’s first actions was to nationalize Libya’s oil industry, wresting it from American companies. He revised oil prices and expelled U.S. military forces from Libyan soil. These actions enraged the U.S., which responded with economic sanctions, political pressure, and baseless international accusations. Despite these challenges, Gaddafi stood firm, defying the U.S. with his strategic acumen and audacity. Gaddafi’s Vision for Libya and Africa Gaddafi understood that to be a strong nation, Libya needed to be internally stable. He introduced numerous social and economic reforms, such as free education, free healthcare, financial aid for jobless youth, housing support for newlyweds, and significant rights for women. These changes uplifted Libya’s economy, making it one of the wealthiest nations in Africa, with no international debts. He also envisioned a united Africa. Gaddafi actively supported neighboring African nations during political crises, aiming to foster solidarity across the continent. He dreamed of an Africa that could stand as a single, formidable entity on the world stage. The fall of Gaddafi Despite his grand vision and reforms, Gaddafi’s downfall was inevitable. Perhaps his progressive policies clashed with Libya’s religious conservatives, or his ambitions drew the ire of international powers. His liberal ideals and bold decisions became the very reasons for his demise. Gaddafi’s rule ended in tragedy, leaving behind a shattered Libya. After his death, the country plunged into economic turmoil, struggling to regain stability. A Testament to Gaddafi’s Legacy Author Uday Itagi documents Gaddafi’s life and the post-Gaddafi Libya with great depth and detail. His book sheds light on the Libyan leader’s personality, his contributions, and the aftermath of his rule. It also reflects on the loneliness of an exile’s life, capturing Libya’s geography, history, and culture vividly. This rare and invaluable book enriches Kannada literature, offering a comprehensive narrative of Libya and its enigmatic leader. This is a precious contribution to Kannada literature, and we hope Uday Itagi continues to create more such masterpieces. Jayashree Kasaravalli A renowned author during the book launch