The book Apnapan: Narendra Modi Sang Mere Anubhav captures Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s decades-long association with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and highlights leadership, governance and organisational experiences.

Book Released In Delhi

A new book written by Shivraj Singh Chouhan on his long political and personal association with Narendra Modi was released in New Delhi on Monday in the presence of several senior BJP leaders and chief ministers.

Titled Apnapan: Narendra Modi Sang Mere Anubhav, the book was unveiled at the NASC Complex in Delhi’s Pusa area around 10:30 am. Former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda jointly released the publication during a public event attended by leaders from multiple states.

Several senior BJP figures, including Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, were present at the ceremony.

35 Years Of Association

Speaking at the event, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the book reflects his experiences of working alongside Narendra Modi for nearly 35 years. According to him, the relationship began during the Ekta Yatra led by senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi in 1991, when Modi was handling organisational responsibilities.

Chouhan said the publication is not merely a political memoir but an attempt to share lessons drawn from years of public life, administration and organisational work. He described Modi as a “true karmayogi” and said he had seen him dedicate every moment to national development and governance.

The Union Agriculture Minister also recalled working with Modi in different capacities over the years — first as party workers, later as chief ministers, and eventually as Prime Minister and Union Minister.

Memories From Ekta Yatra

A significant portion of Chouhan’s remarks focused on the 1991 Ekta Yatra and the political atmosphere in Kashmir during that period. He recounted how BJP workers travelled to Srinagar amid heightened militancy with the aim of hoisting the national flag at Lal Chowk.

Chouhan said Narendra Modi had then stressed that the tricolour should not only fly at Lal Chowk but also in the hearts of the country’s youth. He also mentioned the attack on a bus carrying party workers during the journey and said the leadership still decided to complete the programme despite security concerns.

The senior BJP leader said those events left a lasting impression on him, particularly Modi’s organisational discipline and emotional connection with party workers.

Focus On Technology

During his address, Chouhan also spoke about Modi’s early emphasis on technology and communication. He recalled that even when computers, email and mobile phones were not widely accepted in politics, Modi encouraged party workers to adopt them.

According to Chouhan, Modi understood the future role of technology much earlier than many others in public life. He said the Prime Minister consistently pushed leaders to engage directly with people through modern communication platforms and social media.

The Union Minister further linked that approach to governance reforms and outreach efforts seen in later years.

Governance Experiences Shared

The book release event also included references to policy decisions taken during Chouhan’s tenure as Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister. He cited discussions with Modi on irrigation projects linked to the Narmada river and efforts to improve electricity supply in the state.

Chouhan said Gujarat’s rural electrification model had influenced Madhya Pradesh’s push toward round-the-clock power supply. He noted that such administrative experiences and interactions form an important part of the book.

He also shared personal moments, including phone calls from Modi during family emergencies and the Covid period, saying these instances reflected a personal side beyond politics.

Venkaiah Naidu’s Remarks

Former Vice President Venkaiah Naidu described the book as useful reading for emerging political leaders and urged that it be translated into multiple Indian languages. He said the professional relationship between Narendra Modi and Shivraj Singh Chouhan represented an example of coordination between leadership and governance.

Naidu also praised Chouhan’s long tenure as Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, describing it as politically significant and administratively impactful.

Political Attention Around Event

The release function drew attention within political circles as it coincided with the anniversary of Narendra Modi first taking oath as Prime Minister in 2014. BJP leaders present at the venue described the book as both a political account and a reflection on governance and leadership.

The publication is expected to be circulated among party workers and supporters in the coming weeks, with discussions already underway about translations and wider outreach.