in "Life of Pi", there is no actual shipwreck, it was Pi's dream, his creation. He wanted to wish away people who were obstacles to his contact between tiger and his higher self. His journey to prove that his belief in animals having a soul is true. In the end he proves that there is no truth that people would believe. sab log apne apne truth create karthe hei. His grief in seeing the tiger choosing his independent route to jungle without turning back- the ultimate reality that he didn't take time to turn back, to say good bye-- explains the intensity of his beliefs and final acceptance of his father lessons. He didn't approve of it until he tested it. When he knew that it helped him survive it is not yet complete acceptance of those lessons of reason. It is a balance of both compassion and reason. Because he got a company in the wild life through his faith in animals and his life had a purpose of knowing not feeding the tiger, as he put it.

Regarding Ashish Nandy : There is a manipulation involved in trapping intellectuals in their "in between states". But the question is whether we need that manipulation for movements. i think yes

For me, knowledge is not the issue...But being able to bear knowledge on my limited scope of body, mind and life is.

"he liked women who were not necessarily more stupid but lazier than himself. Sloth aroused him: a girl's unwashed dishes were an invitation to laxity and indulgence." ---Margaret Atwood, 'Polarities' .