NEW DELHI, Aug 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday encouraged young Indians to read autobiographies and learn from the experiences of people who overcame adversity, saying that the “era of reels” should not come at the cost of deeper learning.
Speaking at the launch of former President Ram Nath Kovind’s autobiography, Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles, Modi said Kovind’s journey demonstrated how determination and perseverance could help an individual overcome difficult circumstances and reach the country’s highest constitutional office.
Referring to the popularity of short-form content among young people, the Prime Minister said social media influencers could easily attract their attention, but books offered a deeper understanding of people and the periods they lived through.
“Shortcut will cut you short,” Modi said, urging youngsters to look beyond quick and superficial sources of information.
The Prime Minister described Kovind’s autobiography as an important record of his personal journey and a valuable contribution to the history of Indian democracy. He said the book could become a source of inspiration for future generations.
Modi also highlighted Kovind’s continued public engagement after completing his tenure as President. He noted his involvement in the “One Nation, One Election” initiative and said his efforts reflected an ongoing commitment to strengthening democratic institutions.
According to Modi, the title of Kovind’s book appropriately connects his personal struggles with the broader achievements of Indian democracy. While the challenges described in the autobiography were part of Kovind’s individual journey, the Prime Minister said the success that followed belonged to the democratic system as well.
Modi recalled Kovind’s difficult childhood, including the loss of his mother in a fire when she attempted to save household belongings. He said the tragedy did not break Kovind’s resolve and instead became one of the experiences that strengthened his character.
The Prime Minister also remembered his interactions with Kovind during his tenure at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He recalled the former President’s warm and personal approach, including conversations that went beyond normal protocol and his habit of personally seeing visitors off.
Kovind, recalling his own childhood, spoke about growing up in a village in Kanpur Dehat, Uttar Pradesh, and the values of compassion, cooperation and mutual affection that he learned from the community.
He also recalled the hardships faced by his family, including rainwater leaking through the roof of their home. Kovind said the experiences of his early life shaped his outlook and understanding of ordinary people’s struggles.
The former President said government housing programmes had helped millions of economically weaker families secure homes and live with greater dignity.
He also recalled former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s emphasis on uplifting the most disadvantaged sections of society. Kovind said his interactions with Modi had also influenced him, particularly the Prime Minister’s ability to connect with ordinary party workers.
Kovind further said he chose to associate himself with the BJP because he believed the party placed national interest above considerations of dynasty and community.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who attended the event, described Kovind as an example of determination and praised his contribution to India’s diplomatic outreach.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and several Union ministers were also present at the book launch.
Modi said India needs more young people who remain determined in the face of challenges and contribute to building a self-reliant nation. He expressed hope that Kovind’s life story would encourage the younger generation to approach difficulties with resilience rather than seek easy shortcuts.