At the launch of former president Ram Nath Kovind's autobiography, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered his late mother while he was talking about the sacrifices that mothers make for raising their children. He was referring to a particular incident quoted from Kovind's book where the former president mentioned how his mother died in a fire accident at their house while trying to save household belongings when he was a young child.
“Kovind ji has written in his book about an incident where a fire broke out in their home during the summer. His mother, setting aside concerns for her own safety, tried to save the household belongings; after all, for an ordinary family, every single item is essential for raising the children. Tragically, while making this effort, she became trapped in the fire and lost her life. Just imagine—experiencing such a tragedy at a tender age, losing one's mother in this manner. How agonizing that must have been,” Modi said at the book launch event.
He remembered his mother and said, "I have been fortunate; my mother lived for over a hundred years and continued to bless me. Yet, even today, I deeply feel the void left by her absence."
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{{/usCountry}}Speaking at the launch of Kovind's autobiography "Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles", Modi said Kovind's life showed how determination could help a person overcome adversity and rise to the highest constitutional office.
Modi urges youth to read
Urging the youth to read autobiographies, Modi said they offer an opportunity to understand a particular period through the life of someone who experienced it.
"Today is the era of reels; social media influencers draw you somewhere. But in this age too, remember what's written in railway stations: Shortcut will cut you short," he said, news agency PTI reported.
Modi's remarks come amid the government's efforts to connect to the the youth particularly after the NEET paper leak protests that came to be known as the Gen Z protests. In the aftermath of the NEET protests, Modi had asked his ministerial colleagues to actively use Instagram and post reels to connect with young people.
In recent weeks, Modi himself has posted reels more frequently, addressing young people.
Kovind recalls childhood, association with BJP
Kovind recalled his childhood hardships and the values he imbibed from his surroundings.
"I come from a village at Kanpur Dehat in Uttar Pradesh. I learnt mutual compassion and love from the villagers," he said, recalling how rainwater used to leak through the roof of his home and the family would wait for the rain to stop.
Kovind said crores of poor families had got a roof over their heads under government housing schemes, receiving an opportunity to live with dignity.
Recalling former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's determination to uplift the "last person in the line", he said his interactions with Modi, whose vision and ability to connect with ordinary workers, had also left an impression on him.
Kovind said he associated himself with the BJP because the party, in his view, placed the nation above the considerations of dynasty or community.