Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced the release of his new book, 'Apnapan', a deeply personal chronicle of his 35-year association with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The announcement was made on 15 May via Chouhan's official account on X, with the minister expressing hope that the book would inspire readers — particularly young Indians — to contribute to a developed India.

What 'Apnapan' Is About

'Apnapan' is described as far more than a political memoir. According to Chouhan, the book offers readers a rare window into Prime Minister Modi's personality, leadership style, and work ethic, as observed by a close colleague over three-and-a-half decades. The narrative spans their shared journey through organisational work, public service, and governance, anchored by the overarching vision of nation-building.

The book traces the partnership back to the 1991 Ekta Yatra, where Chouhan first observed how a political campaign could be transformed into a movement of national consciousness. He reflects that true leadership, as he witnessed it, is forged through discipline and sacrifice rather than rhetoric alone.

Key Moments and Anecdotes

Among the highlights are Chouhan's accounts of Prime Minister Modi's organisational acumen — his ability to craft electoral strategies and forge connections with grassroots workers. The book also includes anecdotes about Modi's sensitivity toward Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers and his early recognition of technology as a tool for transparent governance.

A dedicated section addresses the Covid-19 pandemic, where Chouhan writes that the Prime Minister's composure and foresight provided the nation with direction during an unprecedented crisis. Notably, Chouhan frames the book not as a catalogue of events but as a document reflecting a vision for a transformed India.

Launch Details

The formal launch of 'Apnapan' is scheduled for 26 May at the NASC Complex in New Delhi. Former Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda are expected to attend as guests of honour, lending considerable weight to the occasion.

Chouhan's Message to Young India

'I am confident that this book will inspire all readers, especially our young friends, to play an active role in building a developed India through the ideals of service, empathy, patriotism, and public welfare,' Chouhan said in his post on X. He expressed the belief that genuine national transformation stems from great resolve and a heartfelt connection with citizens — qualities he says he observed first-hand in Prime Minister Modi over decades of shared work.

With the launch set for 26 May, 'Apnapan' is poised to enter a crowded genre of political biography, though its stated ambition — to serve as a source of inspiration for the next generation — sets it apart from a conventional insider account.