By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR:Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today released the autobiography of former President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, titled “Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles”, at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said “Today we have got the opportunity to release the autobiography of Shri Ram Nath Kovind ji, and I am happy that I have become a part of this program,” remarked Shri Modi.
Reflecting on his deep personal connection with the former President, the Prime Minister highlighted his profound respect for Kovind ji’s guidance and affection over the years. “My prolonged acquaintance with Kovind Ji, the good fortune of knowing him closely, his guidance in his capacity as President, and, above all, his special affection and warmth towards me, these have been my greatest assets,” noted Shri Modi.
Praising the depth of the former President’s character and capabilities, the Prime Minister asserted that the literary work will serve as an enduring testament to the nation’s democratic values. “I can say with full confidence that the autobiography of Ram Nath Kovind ji will in itself become a heritage for the Indian democracy and Indian society,” affirmed Shri Modi.
Acknowledging the vastness of Kovind ji’s lifelong contributions to the nation, the Prime Minister, refraining from providing excessive details, encouraged the audience to discover the narrative firsthand. “In a book release, there should only be a ‘curtain raiser’, and it is better only if you all get the full benefit of the book by reading it!” remarked Shri Modi.
Highlighting the educational value of the memoir for the younger demographic, the Prime Minister expressed his desire for future generations to draw inspiration from the former President’s words. “The new generation of the country should also read his writing and his experiences, from which everyone will get to learn a lot,” asserted Shri Modi.
Analyzing the title of the book, “Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles”, the Prime Minister interpreted its dual significance regarding personal hardship and national democratic success. “The struggles of life are his personal, but the victory achieved as a result of those struggles belongs to the Republic of India and its democracy,” observed Shri Modi.
Contrasting common human tendencies with the former President’s magnanimity, the Prime Minister pointed out that while many blame society for their hardships, Kovind ji’s generous heart deeply rooted in Indian values views society as an equal partner in his success. “When the heart is generous and there are Indian values, a person does not waste time finding faults in society, but focuses on its positive side,” noted Shri Modi.
Recounting a deeply tragic childhood incident from the autobiography, the Prime Minister shared the heartbreaking story of Kovind ji’s mother losing her life in a house fire while trying to save essential household items in Kanpur Dehat. “You can imagine such an accident at a young age and losing a mother like this, how painful this must have been!” remarked Shri Modi.
Highlighting the resilience forged through this tragedy, the Prime Minister explained how a neighboring mother stepped in to assist with Kovind ji’s upbringing, an act that profoundly shaped his understanding of societal harmony. “From this, he understood the power of unity and harmony of society, and those difficulties made Kovind ji even stronger,” affirmed Shri Modi.
Emphasizing the crucial paternal role following the tragedy, the Prime Minister noted how Kovind ji’s father admirably steered the family and instilled strong values in his children. “The way he handled his family and gave values to the children is why Kovind ji considers his father his hero,” observed Shri Modi.
Tracing Kovind ji’s reliance on education to overcome his lack of resources, the Prime Minister highlighted his extraordinary ascent to the highest office in the land. “He worked hard and did not let the lack of resources become a weakness, reaching a position which people had not even imagined then,” asserted Shri Modi.
Praising the former President’s enduring humility, the Prime Minister recalled a deeply emotional public moment when Kovind ji returned to his village of Paraunkh, bowing to the soil and touching the feet of his former teachers. “His conduct placed such a picture of India’s values in front of the world on which every Indian can feel proud,” noted Shri Modi.
Reflecting on the historical socio-economic setbacks caused by centuries of slavery, the Prime Minister honored the relentless struggles and visionary dreams of historical figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Baba Saheb Ambedkar, and Jyotiba Phule. “How many such great personalities had dreamed of the reconstruction of an India where the poorest of the poor could get the opportunity to reach the top,” remarked Shri Modi.
Connecting these historical aspirations to modern achievements, the Prime Minister credited figures like Kovind ji for actively realizing the centuries-old vision of an egalitarian society through sheer hard work. “Personalities like Kovind ji with their hard work and ability did not just change their own life, they also played a role in realizing that dream of centuries,” affirmed Shri Modi.
Stressing the continuous need for dedicated youth to carry this mission forward, the Prime Minister called for a generation that remains undeterred by obstacles and maintains the courage to forge paths toward national self-reliance. “With this very change, the resolution of building an empowered India will be fulfilled, and the path to a self-reliant and Viksit Bharat will be paved,” asserted Shri Modi.
Positioning the autobiography as a crucial motivational tool, the Prime Minister suggested that the detailed account of Kovind ji’s life will serve as a definitive guide for shaping this necessary youth power. “The inspiration needed for the creation of such youth power, this autobiography of Kovind ji can become an important source of that,” observed Shri Modi.
Detailing Kovind ji’s political genesis, the Prime Minister noted how working alongside Morarji Desai channeled his inherent desire for national service into a dedicated career in politics. “The feeling of national service that was inside Kovind ji, he found a path for it by working with Morarji,” remarked Shri Modi.
Highlighting a consistent track record of service, the Prime Minister commended Kovind ji’s unwavering dedication to duty across his various roles in Parliament, as Governor, and eventually as President. “He worked making service his goal, and his tenure in Parliament is a witness to this,” affirmed Shri Modi.
Pointing to Kovind ji’s tireless post-presidential contributions, the Prime Minister praised his ongoing leadership on critical national issues like ‘One Nation, One Election’, which holds the potential to revolutionize the country’s democratic framework. “I believe the people of the country can learn a lot from this dedication to duty and spirit of service of Kovind ji,” asserted Shri Modi.
Acknowledging the immense difficulty of authoring an autobiography while remaining highly active in public life, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude to Kovind ji for completing this vital societal contribution. “Kovind ji has done this work for all of us because there is so much in his life in which all the people coming from poor deprived sections can see the shadow of their own life,” noted Shri Modi.
Detailing the broader moral lessons encapsulated within the text, the Prime Minister emphasized how the former President’s narrative illustrates the enduring power of maintaining purity and honesty during the toughest times. “Kovind ji has continuously given this inspiration to the society on how this purity gives us the strength for national service while fulfilling the responsibilities of different posts,” observed Shri Modi.
Concluding the address with a strong endorsement of the book’s historical value, the Prime Minister expressed absolute certainty that the literary work will serve as an essential archive for both personal and national milestones. “I am confident Kovind ji’s autobiography will safely preserve not only the important memories of his life but also of our democracy,” affirmed Shri Modi.
