Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched his new book "Apnapan: My Experiences with Narendra Modi" in New Delhi on Tuesday, where he recalled his early encounters with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The book traces their journey as the workers of the BJP to serving as Chief Ministers of their respective states and later working together in the Union government.
During the release, Chauhan also recounted an anecdote related to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "When Narendra Modi visited Madhya Pradesh as the party in charge, I was the general secretary of the state unit. During this time, a meeting was held regarding election preparations. During the meeting, when PM Modi asked who all had email IDs, hardly anyone had an answer. People started looking at each other. Then, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, the late Babulal Gaur, jokingly asked, "Narendra Bhai, what are you saying 'female-female'? What will happen with this female email?" Everyone laughed at this, and some even had sarcastic expressions on their faces," the Union Minister said, while praising PM Modi's foresight.
Chouhan explained how BJP workers had a traditional mindset and were averse to technology then. He referred to the early days of mobile phones, saying they were associated with "five-star culture" at the time.
He recalled how they first met during the 1991 Ekta Yatra led by senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi. “My association with Prime Minister Narendra Modi spans over 35 years. In 1991, when the Ekta Yatra commenced under the leadership of Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi–stretching from Kanyakumari all the way to Srinagar in Kashmir–he was in charge of managing the tour, and I worked alongside him as the convenor of the Kesariya Vahini to mobilise the youth,” Chouhan stated.
Chauhan then recalled how they hoisted the tricolour at Lal Chowk in Srinagar. "Terrorism was at its peak. No one had imagined hoisting the tricolour at Lal Chowk in the Kashmir Valley. The BJP decided that he would lead the Ekta Yatra and hoist the tricolour at Lal Chowk in Srinagar," he said, adding that "Narendra Bhai was entrusted with this responsibility."
"When I met Narendra Bhai for the first time, I saw his vision: to reach out to the masses, unite people and awaken the spirit of patriotism. He said that the tricolour will not be hoisted only at Lal Chowk in Srinagar but in the heart of every citizen of the country."
