PM Modi praises former President Kovind's memoir
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A life that moved from the villages of Uttar Pradesh to Rashtrapati Bhavan now has its story told in print — and Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants India to read it. On Wednesday, 12 August 2026, Modi took to X to recommend the newly released book by former President Ram Nath Kovind, calling it 'an inspiring read' that captures Kovind's struggles, service, and contributions across three distinct constitutional roles.
From Rajya Sabha benches to Rashtrapati Bhavan
Ram Nath Kovind served as India's 14th President from 2017 to 2022, but his public life stretches back decades earlier. A BJP-nominated Rajya Sabha MP from Uttar Pradesh representing the Scheduled Caste community, he later served as Governor of Bihar before ascending to the nation's highest constitutional office. That arc — from grassroots political work to the grandeur of Rashtrapati Bhavan — is precisely what Modi says the book illuminates.
Modi's endorsement singles out three chapters of Kovind's career: his time as Member of Parliament, as Governor, and finally as President of India. The framing — 'struggles, service and rich contribution' — positions the book less as a political document and more as a personal testament to public duty.
Modi's pattern of backing books by constitutional figures
This is not the first time the Prime Minister has used X to spotlight a book by a senior leader or former office-holder. Modi has periodically recommended works that highlight personal journeys and records of public service, a practice that cuts across party and institutional lines. The gesture signals respect for constitutional continuity while keeping former office-holders visible in public discourse.
Kovind's story carries particular resonance as a narrative of social mobility — a man from a modest background in Uttar Pradesh who rose through law, politics, and governance to occupy the highest seat in the Republic. That journey, Modi suggests, is the book's real beating heart.
Whether the endorsement triggers a formal book-launch event or wider institutional commentary remains to be seen — but with the Prime Minister's amplification behind it, the memoir is unlikely to stay quietly on shelves.