PM Modi Releases Former President Ram Nath Kovind’s Autobiography

New Delhi, Aug 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday released the autobiography of former President Ram Nath Kovind, Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles, at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.

The event was marked not only by the unveiling of the book but also by heartfelt tributes from the Prime Minister, who described the occasion as deeply personal.

Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said, “This feels like a family event. Today, we got an opportunity to get a glimpse of the life story of Ram Nath Kovind ji. I have known Kovind ji for a very long time. His guidance as President and above all his special affection for me has been a great source of strength for me.”

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The Prime Minister emphasized the significance of Kovind’s life story, noting that it would serve as an enduring legacy for India’s democracy. “From what I have understood of his life and the extent to which I have come to know his capabilities, I can confidently say that Kovind Ji’s autobiography will become a heritage for India’s democracy and society. His life journey, contributions to society and the country—there are several things that I can talk about; however, the launch event should be a curtain-raiser. You all should read the entire book to know what it was like,” he said.

PM Modi urged young Indians to engage with Kovind’s writings and experiences. “I urge the younger generation to learn about Ram Nath Kovind ji’s life journey in his own words and read about his writings and experiences,” he added.

Congratulating the former President, PM Modi praised the title of the autobiography. “The name of the autobiography is on point—Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles—this means that life and the struggles were personal; however, the result of these struggles was a win for India’s democracy and republic.” He reflected on Kovind’s values, saying, “Often people take credit for their successes and blame society for the difficulties in their lives, but when a person has a generous heart and is guided by Indian values, they focus on the positive aspects of society and consider society an equal partner in their success. Kovind ji’s autobiography and its title are examples of this.”

The Prime Minister also recalled Kovind’s early hardships, particularly the loss of his mother. “To experience such an incident at such a young age, to lose someone, is so painful. I am fortunate that my mother lived for over 100 years and kept blessing me. Even today, I still miss her. It was a hard time for him (Kovind); anyone could have been crushed by it, but Kovind ji became stronger due to those struggles... His father’s role in his life increased; he considers his father as his hero,” PM Modi said.

Sharing personal anecdotes, PM Modi remembered Kovind’s humility during his presidency. “As Prime Minister, when I used to go to meet President Ram Nath Kovind, according to protocol, there were certain things that should not have been done, but he used to do them. He used to come right up to the door of the car to see off the Prime Minister. I used to request him in the beginning, ‘Please don’t do this.’ But until the end of his life, he never gave up that humility.”

He also highlighted Kovind’s respect for his roots. “After becoming President, when Kovind went back to his village, he touched the feet of his mentors and paid his respects to them. Bowing to the soil of the village, he expressed his gratitude to the common people of the village. The entire country saw that emotional sight. Through this conduct, he presented such a picture of Indian values before the world that every Indian takes pride in,” Modi added.

Earlier, Kovind himself addressed the gathering, acknowledging the unique nature of the event. “Until today, I have addressed all of you on various occasions, but today’s occasion is different for me because the subject of today’s discussion is my own private life, the book ‘Times of the Indian Republic,’ the release of my life and my struggles. On the occasion of its release, I express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for being part of this programme.”

Born on October 1, 1945, in Paraunkh village of Kanpur Dehat, Uttar Pradesh, Kovind rose from humble beginnings in a Koli family to occupy the highest constitutional office in India. He served as the 14th President of India from 2017 to 2022, becoming the first person from Uttar Pradesh and the first BJP leader to hold the post. Prior to his presidency, he was Governor of Bihar from 2015 to 2017 and represented Uttar Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha for two successive terms.

(IANS)