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Narendra Modi: A political Biography
Narendra Modi, the BJP's prime ministerial candidate, is powerful, popular and controversial. With the general elections due to conclude in May 2014, Modi's campaign rallies have drawn unprecedented crowds. Yet, the man remains an enigma. His supporters regard him as the visionary, decisive leader India needs today. His detractors see him as a polarizing fi gure. Is Modi authoritative or authoritarian? Decisive or divisive? A team player or a loner?
Andy Marino recorded interviews with Narendra Modi during more than half-a-dozen exclusive meetings - unprecedented access to a very private man. What emerged is this riveting, objective biography of a man who could be India's prime minister. Not shying away from the controversies that have dogged Narendra Modi, including the Gujarat riots and questions about the Gujarat model of governance and development, this political biography provides an unbiased account of possibly the most important figure in Indian politics today. Marino records hour-by-hour details of the 2002 Gujarat riots, presenting a balanced analysis of that raw wound on India's polity. It also reveals hitherto unpublished, authenticated documents, which makes this one of the most important books of 2014.
The author analyses Narendra Modi's values, the people who shaped his thinking and the sort of national leader he will make. Personal details of Modi's early life, his wanderings in the Himalayas between the ages of seventeen and nineteen, his rise through the political ranks, his vision for India and his personal philosophy on religion and politics are revealed in a book that is lucid, fast-paced and readable. Narendra A Political Biography is an insightful, exhaustive and impeccably researched account of the ascent of a political leader.
Andy Marino recorded interviews with Narendra Modi during more than half-a-dozen exclusive meetings - unprecedented access to a very private man. What emerged is this riveting, objective biography of a man who could be India's prime minister. Not shying away from the controversies that have dogged Narendra Modi, including the Gujarat riots and questions about the Gujarat model of governance and development, this political biography provides an unbiased account of possibly the most important figure in Indian politics today. Marino records hour-by-hour details of the 2002 Gujarat riots, presenting a balanced analysis of that raw wound on India's polity. It also reveals hitherto unpublished, authenticated documents, which makes this one of the most important books of 2014.
The author analyses Narendra Modi's values, the people who shaped his thinking and the sort of national leader he will make. Personal details of Modi's early life, his wanderings in the Himalayas between the ages of seventeen and nineteen, his rise through the political ranks, his vision for India and his personal philosophy on religion and politics are revealed in a book that is lucid, fast-paced and readable. Narendra A Political Biography is an insightful, exhaustive and impeccably researched account of the ascent of a political leader.
379 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 8, 2014
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February 25, 2020
I am so glad i read this book. A detailed narrative. This book show how a poor son of a tea stall vendor became candidate for Prime Minister. Well researched in every regard and unbiased reporting on Modi. The book does justice by mentioning the details of the SIT report on 2002 Gujarat riots which hadn't been talked about and hence false perceptions persists. Book enlightens reader in detailed about PM Narendra Modi. It also has photos. I am came to know a lot about Narendra Modi. Despite almost all media, opposition parties and critics bashing, Modi rises like a Phoenix before the readers. Modi as an individual has a very strong personality, very determined influenced by very patriotic personalities. Sincere in service with perfection. Rare in rare kind appropriate for leading a nation without corruption.
I will recommend this book to those (like myself) who are sort of confused about the kind of person Modi is, and more importantly, want to feel relieved and hopeful that, now as the PM of India, Modi may bring about a better future for all. Our political leaders will also learn that political power is about serving the people and not about looting them.
After reading this book, I want to read books on
1. P. V. Narasimha Rao
2. Lal Bahadur Shastri
3. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
4. Chakravarti Rajagopalachari
5. Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi
6. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
7. Syama Prasad Mukherjee
8. Veer Savarkar
9. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar
10. V. P. Menon
I will recommend this book to those (like myself) who are sort of confused about the kind of person Modi is, and more importantly, want to feel relieved and hopeful that, now as the PM of India, Modi may bring about a better future for all. Our political leaders will also learn that political power is about serving the people and not about looting them.
After reading this book, I want to read books on
1. P. V. Narasimha Rao
2. Lal Bahadur Shastri
3. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
4. Chakravarti Rajagopalachari
5. Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi
6. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
7. Syama Prasad Mukherjee
8. Veer Savarkar
9. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar
10. V. P. Menon
May 19, 2021
A must read for all who want to know the real Modi. Marino writes with an unbiased mind.
Marino analyses the Modi background, his philosophy, 02 riots, Modi's step by step actions, the Guj model, and his stature as a national leader with objective and investigative approach.
Marino analyses the Modi background, his philosophy, 02 riots, Modi's step by step actions, the Guj model, and his stature as a national leader with objective and investigative approach.
June 13, 2025
There is a long back thought on Modi by majority of people that he came from a very small-impoverished family and was once in his childhood, a child labour to his father's own rented tea stall, supporting him in the ups & downs in the peanut-finances of his family. And thereafter, in the dynastical melodrama of ruling party Congress, he became the Prime Minister, which was shocking for all and hailed by many.
But was that it?? Is this the only thing about him that can make people his followers and more to that his ardent worshippers; or in some other cases his biggest haters?
It was not wrong to implying directly "Rome wasn't built in a day". How he become the Prime Minister of a nation? Even when he was less than a scratch, is this book all about. A mindset of a man to achieve his penultimate position with a vision of further reforming the transcendental minds alike. There is a complete psychology to go through, to learn from, and to understand for what it takes to be the hope of world's largest democracy.
There is a lot more to read about him, to know him more than just a face of the party or politics. He is a not just a man who brought 'Change of Management' in politics but the person who came out to be the ‘Melorist' in the biased-secularist democracy of India created for the self-convenience of Indian National Congress.
Andy Marino penned his life story in very simple words & with very much broad sense of keeping his aura alive not only as a politician but as a man of his words. His psychology as a child and novice thoughts as a politician somewhere contradicted with the decisions of Atal ji, explained so fairly. Later as a matured Human being and a public servant, as he intended to call himself in many public interactions as well, following the path of ‘Atal Bihari Vajpayee’ only, depicted well. Narendra Damodardas Modi is not just a name anymore; he now becomes a world sensation, a leader who bring forth the epochs old trait of Indian culture & tradition "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam".
There were so much chaos to blame modi for 2002 riots in Gujarat after the heinous burning alive of Hindu pilgrims in Sabarmati Express on 27th Feb'02, by Muslim mob, for just the cause that Pilgrims were on their journey back from one of the holiest place for Hindus, Ayodhya, where more than a decade back, a mob demolished Alleged Babri Masjid, which was built over the birth place (Garbhagriha) of Lord Ram.
Firstly prioritizing a brutal invader Babar over God was nonsensical. Secondly, Fighting for something that was wrong, yet again makes them true convicts.
Indonesia was once a nation to follow India culture, living on the path of Hinduism, when forcefully converted to Muslim country nearly in 13th century, even after so many centuries of colonialization and Islamization, still keeping their age old tradition of performing Ram-leela and honouring Garuda (Lord Vishnu's mount, whose incarnation is Lord Ram) as their National Emblem, Indonesian rupiah (currency) is blessed with the imprint of Lord Ganesh (yet another prominent Hindu God). If that much centuries' subjugation of brutalities couldn't frightened or shook their belief and their firm stand on the traits their ancestors placed & followed, then why so much drama in India, who was the true leader of the world, since ages, and never ever oppress any nation or invade any part of the world?
“The key question remains: will Modi ever be prosecuted for his role in the 2002 riots?
He is surely guilty of dereliction of duty under Section 166 of the Indian Penal Code. The punishment for this? Simple imprisonment for one year, or fine, or both – Non-cognizable – Bailable – Trialable by Magistrate of the first class – Non-compoundable.
So that is all. Non-cognizable, non-compoundable, bailable. The entire campaign is not designed to prosecute Modi, since prosecution is not a realistic option, but to malign him so that he poses no electoral threat to the established order in Delhi.
Modi’s ‘negligence’ – as he did nothing actively illegal – is the only possible charge that can ever be brought against him. A surfeit of hard evidence testifies that Modi acted quickly and firmly in the face of almost uncontrollable mass riot and performed better than many other politicians in India before him.”
He discussed lot about his mentor, Laxmanrao Inamdar ‘Vakil Sahib’, titled because of his profession. Honoring and remembering the one who inspired you and who guided you in the path of struggle always make person honest and fair, this tells a lot about the character of Narendra Modi.
Modi had been criticized so many times by many people and various newspapers & magazines. Even Sonia Gandhi in November 2007 in her visit to Navsari, entitled him ‘Maut ka Saudagar’ (Merchant of Death). Still there were people who find the facts clear and projected fairly to the world. For a case, activist and academician Madhu Kishwar, in her feminist women’s magazine ‘Manushi’ stated honestly about his then duration’s act as CM on criminals, “Modi’s political problems, including within his own party stem from the fact that he is not willing to shield any wrongdoer”.
‘The Ganga is an incarnation of the mother, so is India,’
said Modi, ‘Even the cow is revered as a mother. The position of women has always been supreme, there are no two views on this.’ His various schemes like Narmada Bond for Girl Children, worth Rs. 1000/-, to support in their education was a very good step and much more than just a hope.
Other than that, his Panchamrut Scheme to improve condition of the Gujarat during his tenure as CM excelled well. ‘Jan Shakti’ , to support Farmers; ‘Gyan Shakti’ , to provide education and skills development; ‘Jal Shakti’ to advance the reach of every person to have safe and clean water to drink and other usages, like irrigation; ‘Urja Shakti’ to remove entitlement of ‘dark’ from village areas and make every area of Gujarat illuminated; & Last, ‘Raksha Shakti’ to make very corner a safe place to all, especially females.
His stress over ‘More Governance and Less Politics’ stretched his period of leading the state from freebies under ‘KHAM’ by '80s Congessi CM Madhav Singh Solanki to make able each Gujarati to earn for self and their respective families. The thing that Arvind Kejriwal is playing in politics now a days was like a long left childhood game for Modi; reason why he stands nowhere near Modi, like any other politician.
As he stated earlier “In a democracy who is the final judge? The final judge is the voter.” Even World knew now, who is the strongest contender to hold top leader position in the world.
For me, this book, based on deep research and facts, deserve 5.0/5.0
Hindi Translation (हिंदी अनुवाद):
अधिकांश लोगों द्वारा मोदी के बारे में बहुत पहले से सोचा जाता रहा है कि वह एक बहुत ही छोटे से गरीब परिवार से आते हैं और बचपन में अपने पिता के किराए की चाय की दुकान में बाल मजदूरी करते थे; उनके परिवार की छोटी-छोटी वित्तीय स्थितियों के उतार-चढ़ाव में उनका साथ देते थे । और उसके बाद, वंशवादी सत्ताधारी दल कांग्रेस के राजवंशीय नाटक में वे प्रधानमंत्री बने, जो सभी के लिए चौंकाने वाला था और कई लोगों ने उनका स्वागत किया।
पर क्या बस यही था ?? क्या उनके बारे में यही एकमात्र बात है जो लोगों को उनका अनुयायी बना सकती है और उससे भी अधिक उनके उत्साही उपासक; या कुछ अन्य मामलों में उनके सबसे बड़े शत्रु?
सीधे तौर पर यह कहना गलत नहीं था कि "रोम एक दिन में नहीं बना था"। वे देश के प्रधानमंत्री कैसे बने? वो भी जब उनके पास कुछ नहीं था, यह किताब उसी के बारे में है। यह एक आदमी की मानसिकता के बारे में है कि कैसे वह अन्य समक्षणिक मस्तिष्को को समान रूप से सुधारने की दृष्टि से अपने आदर्श स्थान को प्राप्त करता है। एक संपूर्ण मनोविज्ञान है, इसके बारे में जानने, सीखने और समझने के लिए कि दुनिया के सबसे बड़े लोकतंत्र की आशा के लिए क्या करना चाहिए?
उन्हें सिर्फ पार्टी या राजनीति के एक चेहरे से ज्यादा जानने के लिए उनके बारे में पढ़ने के लिए और भी बहुत कुछ है। वे राजनीति के 'प्रबंधन में परिवर्तन' लाने वाले केवल एक व्यक्ति ही नहीं हैं, बल्कि भारतीय राष्ट्रीय कांग्रेस की आत्म-सुविधा के लिए बनाए गए पक्षपाती-धर्मनिरपेक्ष लोकतांत्रिक भारत में 'सुधारवादी' बनकर सामने आए हैं।
एंडी मैरिनो ने उनके जीवन की कहानी को बहुत ही सरल शब्दों में और उनकी आभा को जीवित रखने की बहुत व्यापक भावना के साथ, न केवल एक राजनेता के रूप में बल्कि अपने शब्दों के लिये प्रतिबद्ध एक व्यक्ति के रूप में लिखा है।
एक बच्चे के रूप में उनका मनोविज्ञान और एक राजनेता के रूप में उनके नौसिखिए विचार जो कहीं न कहीं अटल जी के फैसलों के विपरीत थे, को बहुत ही निष्पक्षता से समझाया है। बाद में एक परिपक्व इंसान और एक लोक सेवक (जैसा कि वे कई सार्वजनिक सभा-समारोह में भी खुद को कहते हैं) के रूप में केवल 'अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी' जी के मार्ग का अनुसरण करना, अच्छी तरह से चित्रित किया गया है। नरेंद्र दामोदरदास मोदी अब महज एक नाम नहीं रह गए हैं। वह अब एक विश्व सनसनी बन गए है, एक नेता जो भारतीय संस्कृति और परंपरा के युगों पुरानी विशेषता"वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम" को सामने लाते हैं।
गुजरात में 2002 के दंगों के लिए मोदी को दोष देने के लि�� बहुत हंगामा हुआ। 27 फरवरी, 02 को साबरमती एक्सप्रेस में हिंदू तीर्थयात्रियों को मुस्लिम भीड़ द्वारा जघन्य रूप से जिंदा जलाए जाने के बाद, केवल इस कारण से कि तीर्थयात्री अपने हिंदुओं के लिए सबसे पवित्र में से एक पवित्र स्थान, अयोध्या, जहां एक दशक से भी अधिक समय पहले, कथित भीड़ ने बाबरी मस्जिद को ध्वस्त कर दिया था, जो भगवान राम के जन्म स्थान (गर्भगृह) पर बनी थी, से वापस अपनी घर की यात्रा पर थे।
सबसे पहले, एक क्रूर आक्रमणकारी बाबर को ईश्वर पर प्राथमिकता देना निरर्थक था। दूसरा, जो कुछ गलत था उसके लिए लड़ना, उन्हें फिर से सच्चा अपराधी बना देता है। इंडोनेशिया एक समय में हिंदू राष्ट्र था जो भारतीय संस्कृति का अनुसरण: करता था, हिंदू धर्म के मार्ग पर जीवित था, जिसे लगभग 13 वीं शताब्दी में जबरन मुस्लिम देश में परिवर्तित किया गया था। उपनिवेशीकरण और इस्लामीकरण की इतनी शताब्दियों के बाद भी, वे अभी भी राम-लीला करने और गरुड़ (भगवान विष्णु, जिनका अवतार भगवान राम हैं, के वाहन) को अपने राष्ट्रीय प्रतीक के रूप में सम्मानित करने की अपनी सदियों पुरानी परंपरा को बनाए हुए हैं; और इंडोनेशियाई रुपिया (मुद्रा) को भगवान गणेश (एक और प्रमुख हिंदू भगवान) की छाप के साथ आशीर्वाद दे रहे हैं।
अगर इतनी सदियों की क्रूरताएं अपने पुरखों द्वारा रखे और पालन किए गए मूल्यों पर उनके विश्वास और उनकी दृढ़ स्थिति को वश में या भयभीत नहीं कर सकीं, तो भारत में इतना नाटक क्यों?, जो अवधियों से दुनिया का सच्चा मशाल वाहक था और जिसने कभी भी किसी राष्ट्र पर न अत्याचार किया और ना ही दुनिया के किसी भी हिस्से पर आक्रमण किया।
एंडी ने कथित तौर पर दंगों के मास्टरमाइंड के रूप में दोषी ठहराए गए मोदी के बारे में फैली हुई अफवाह को अच्छी तरह से उद्धृत किया है कि वह पूरे मामले में पूरी तरह से साफ थे, एसआईटी की पूरी सुनवाई की कार्यवाही और निष्कर्षों पर अदालत की मंजूरी और एजेंसी की दस्तावेजी रिपोर्ट को इस तथ्य के रूप में दिखाया है। बाद में मुसलमानों की हत्या पर, उन्होंने तथ्यात्मक रूप से कहा कि यह वे लोग जो कि अपने परिवार के सदस्यों को खो कर के रह गए थे, जिनके साथ गलत व्यवहार किया गया था, जिसके लिए वे किसी भी तरह से संबंधित नहीं थे, उन्हें दंडित करने का कोई कारण नहीं था, उन गैर-राजनीतिक लोगों द्वारा किया गया था।
“महत्वपूर्ण सवाल यह है कि क्या 2002 के दंगों में उनकी भूमिका के लिए मोदी पर कभी मुकदमा चलाया जाएगा?
वह निश्चित रूप से भारतीय दंड संहिता की धारा 166 के तहत कर्तव्य की उपेक्षा का दोषी है। इसके लिए सजा? एक वर्ष के लिए साधारण कारावास, या जुर्माना, या दोनों - असंज्ञेय - जमानती - प्रथम श्रेणी के मजिस्ट्रेट द्वारा विचारणीय - अप्रतिदेय।
तो बस इतना ही। गैर-संज्ञेय, गैर-यौगिक, जमानती। पूरा अभियान मोदी पर मुकदमा चलाने के लिए नहीं बनाया गया है, क्योंकि अभियोजन एक यथार्थवादी विकल्प नहीं है, बल्कि उन्हें बदनाम करने के लिए है ताकि उन्हें दिल्ली में स्थापित व्यवस्था के लिए कोई चुनावी खतरा न हो।
मोदी की 'लापरवाही' - क्योंकि उन्होंने सक्रिय रूप से कुछ भी अवैध नहीं किया - एकमात्र संभावित आरोप है जो उनके खिलाफ कभी भी लाया जा सकता है। बहुत सारे सबूत इस बात की गवाही देते हैं कि मोदी ने लगभग बेकाबू जन दंगों का सामना करने के लिए जल्दी और दृढ़ता से काम किया और भारत में अपने से पहले के कई अन्य राजनेताओं की तुलना में बेहतर प्रदर्शन किया। ”
उन्होंने अपने गुरु लक्ष्मणराव इनामदार 'वकील साहब' (जिसका शीर्षक उनके पेशे के कारण था) के बारे में बहुत चर्चा की। जिसने आपको प्रेरित किया और जिसने संघर्ष के मार्ग में आपका मार्गदर्शन किया, उसका सम्मान करना और याद रखना, व्यक्ति को हमेशा ईमानदार और निष्पक्ष बनाता है, यही नरेंद्र मोदी के चरित्र के बारे में बहुत कुछ बताता है।
कई लोगों और विभिन्न समाचार पत्रों और पत्रिकाओं द्वारा मोदी की कई बार आलोचना की गई थी। नवंबर 2007 में सोनिया गांधी ने भी नवसारी की अपनी यात्रा में उन्हें 'मौत का सौदागर' (मृत्यु का व्यापारी) शीर्षक दिया था। फिर भी ऐसे लोग थे जिन्होंने तथ्यों को स्पष्ट पाया और दुनिया के सामने निष्पक्ष रूप से पेश किया। मुख्यमंत्री के रूप में अपने कार्यकाल के दौरान, अपराधियों पर अपने सख्त कार्रवाई के बारे में, कार्यकर्ता और शिक्षाविद मधु किश्वर ने अपनी नारीवादी महिला पत्रिका 'मानुषी' में ईमानदारी से कहा, "मोदी की राजनीतिक समस्याएं, जिसमें उनकी अपनी पार्टी भी शामिल है, इस तथ्य से उपजी है कि वह किसी भी गलत काम करने वाले को बचाने के लिए तैयार नहीं हैं"।
'गंगा मां का अवतार है, तो भारत भी है' , मोदी ने कहा, 'गाय भी मां के रूप में पूजनीय है। महिलाओं की स्थिति हमेशा सर्वोच्च रही है, इस पर कोई दो विचार नहीं हैं।' उनकी विभिन्न योजनाएं जैसे बालिकाओं के लिए नर्मदा बांड, मूल्य रु1000/-, उनकी शिक्षा में सहायता के लिए एक बहुत अच्छा कदम था और एक आशा मात्र से कहीं अधिक था।
इसके अलावा, सीएम के रूप में अपने कार्यकाल के दौरान गुजरात की स्थिति में सुधार के लिए उनकी पंचामृत योजना ने उत्कृष्ट प्रदर्शन किया। किसानों का समर्थन करने के लिए 'जन शक्ति' ; शिक्षा और कौशल विकास प्रदान करने के लिए 'ज्ञान शक्ति' ; पीने के लिए सुरक्षित और स्वच्छ पानी और सिंचाई जैसे अन्य उपयोगों के लिए प्रत्येक व्यक्ति की पहुंच को आगे बढ़ाने के लिए 'जल शक्ति' ; 'ऊर्जा शक्ति' गांव के इलाकों से 'अंधेरे' के अधिकार को दूर करने और गुजरात के हर क्षेत्र को रोशन करने के लिए; और अंत में, 'रक्षा शक्ति' सभी के लिए एक सुरक्षित स्थान बनाने के लिए, विशेष रूप से महिलाओं के लिए।
'अधिक शासन और कम राजनीति' पर उनके दबाव ने 80 के दशक के कांग्रेसी सीएम माधव सिंह सोलंकी द्वारा 'खाम' के तहत मुफ्तखोरी से बहुत दूर, प्रत्येक गुजराती को अपने और अपने परिवार के लिए कमाने में सक्षम बनाकर राज्य का नेतृत्व करने की अवधि बढ़ा दी। अरविंद केजरीवाल आजकल राजनीति में जो खेल खेल रहे हैं, वह मोदी के लिए एक लंबे समय से खोए बचपन के खेल की तरह है; यही कारण है कि वह किसी भी अन्य राजनेता की ही तरह मोदी के आसपास कहीं नहीं खड़े हैं।
जैसा कि उन्होंने पहले कहा था "लोकतंत्र में अंतिम न्यायाधीश कौन होता है? अंतिम न्यायाधीश मतदाता है।" अब तो दुनिया भी जानती है कि दुनिया में शीर्ष नेता का पद पाने का सबसे मजबूत दावेदार कौन है?
मेरे लिए गहन शोध और तथ्यों पर आधारित यह पुस्तक 5.0/5.0 के लायक है।
But was that it?? Is this the only thing about him that can make people his followers and more to that his ardent worshippers; or in some other cases his biggest haters?
It was not wrong to implying directly "Rome wasn't built in a day". How he become the Prime Minister of a nation? Even when he was less than a scratch, is this book all about. A mindset of a man to achieve his penultimate position with a vision of further reforming the transcendental minds alike. There is a complete psychology to go through, to learn from, and to understand for what it takes to be the hope of world's largest democracy.
There is a lot more to read about him, to know him more than just a face of the party or politics. He is a not just a man who brought 'Change of Management' in politics but the person who came out to be the ‘Melorist' in the biased-secularist democracy of India created for the self-convenience of Indian National Congress.
Andy Marino penned his life story in very simple words & with very much broad sense of keeping his aura alive not only as a politician but as a man of his words. His psychology as a child and novice thoughts as a politician somewhere contradicted with the decisions of Atal ji, explained so fairly. Later as a matured Human being and a public servant, as he intended to call himself in many public interactions as well, following the path of ‘Atal Bihari Vajpayee’ only, depicted well. Narendra Damodardas Modi is not just a name anymore; he now becomes a world sensation, a leader who bring forth the epochs old trait of Indian culture & tradition "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam".
There were so much chaos to blame modi for 2002 riots in Gujarat after the heinous burning alive of Hindu pilgrims in Sabarmati Express on 27th Feb'02, by Muslim mob, for just the cause that Pilgrims were on their journey back from one of the holiest place for Hindus, Ayodhya, where more than a decade back, a mob demolished Alleged Babri Masjid, which was built over the birth place (Garbhagriha) of Lord Ram.
Firstly prioritizing a brutal invader Babar over God was nonsensical. Secondly, Fighting for something that was wrong, yet again makes them true convicts.
Indonesia was once a nation to follow India culture, living on the path of Hinduism, when forcefully converted to Muslim country nearly in 13th century, even after so many centuries of colonialization and Islamization, still keeping their age old tradition of performing Ram-leela and honouring Garuda (Lord Vishnu's mount, whose incarnation is Lord Ram) as their National Emblem, Indonesian rupiah (currency) is blessed with the imprint of Lord Ganesh (yet another prominent Hindu God). If that much centuries' subjugation of brutalities couldn't frightened or shook their belief and their firm stand on the traits their ancestors placed & followed, then why so much drama in India, who was the true leader of the world, since ages, and never ever oppress any nation or invade any part of the world?
Andy quoted well about Modi on been blamed for allegedly rumored as the riots' mastermind with complete hearing proceeding of SIT and Courts approval on these findings and documented report of former agency to show-case the facts that he was fully clean in the whole matter. It was all people's doing as a revert to how they have been left with the loss of their family members who were treated unfairly with no cause to be punished for something they were not even related to, by any means.
“The key question remains: will Modi ever be prosecuted for his role in the 2002 riots?
He is surely guilty of dereliction of duty under Section 166 of the Indian Penal Code. The punishment for this? Simple imprisonment for one year, or fine, or both – Non-cognizable – Bailable – Trialable by Magistrate of the first class – Non-compoundable.
So that is all. Non-cognizable, non-compoundable, bailable. The entire campaign is not designed to prosecute Modi, since prosecution is not a realistic option, but to malign him so that he poses no electoral threat to the established order in Delhi.
Modi’s ‘negligence’ – as he did nothing actively illegal – is the only possible charge that can ever be brought against him. A surfeit of hard evidence testifies that Modi acted quickly and firmly in the face of almost uncontrollable mass riot and performed better than many other politicians in India before him.”
He discussed lot about his mentor, Laxmanrao Inamdar ‘Vakil Sahib’, titled because of his profession. Honoring and remembering the one who inspired you and who guided you in the path of struggle always make person honest and fair, this tells a lot about the character of Narendra Modi.
Modi had been criticized so many times by many people and various newspapers & magazines. Even Sonia Gandhi in November 2007 in her visit to Navsari, entitled him ‘Maut ka Saudagar’ (Merchant of Death). Still there were people who find the facts clear and projected fairly to the world. For a case, activist and academician Madhu Kishwar, in her feminist women’s magazine ‘Manushi’ stated honestly about his then duration’s act as CM on criminals, “Modi’s political problems, including within his own party stem from the fact that he is not willing to shield any wrongdoer”.
‘The Ganga is an incarnation of the mother, so is India,’
said Modi, ‘Even the cow is revered as a mother. The position of women has always been supreme, there are no two views on this.’ His various schemes like Narmada Bond for Girl Children, worth Rs. 1000/-, to support in their education was a very good step and much more than just a hope.
Other than that, his Panchamrut Scheme to improve condition of the Gujarat during his tenure as CM excelled well. ‘Jan Shakti’ , to support Farmers; ‘Gyan Shakti’ , to provide education and skills development; ‘Jal Shakti’ to advance the reach of every person to have safe and clean water to drink and other usages, like irrigation; ‘Urja Shakti’ to remove entitlement of ‘dark’ from village areas and make every area of Gujarat illuminated; & Last, ‘Raksha Shakti’ to make very corner a safe place to all, especially females.
His stress over ‘More Governance and Less Politics’ stretched his period of leading the state from freebies under ‘KHAM’ by '80s Congessi CM Madhav Singh Solanki to make able each Gujarati to earn for self and their respective families. The thing that Arvind Kejriwal is playing in politics now a days was like a long left childhood game for Modi; reason why he stands nowhere near Modi, like any other politician.
As he stated earlier “In a democracy who is the final judge? The final judge is the voter.” Even World knew now, who is the strongest contender to hold top leader position in the world.
For me, this book, based on deep research and facts, deserve 5.0/5.0
Hindi Translation (हिंदी अनुवाद):
अधिकांश लोगों द्वारा मोदी के बारे में बहुत पहले से सोचा जाता रहा है कि वह एक बहुत ही छोटे से गरीब परिवार से आते हैं और बचपन में अपने पिता के किराए की चाय की दुकान में बाल मजदूरी करते थे; उनके परिवार की छोटी-छोटी वित्तीय स्थितियों के उतार-चढ़ाव में उनका साथ देते थे । और उसके बाद, वंशवादी सत्ताधारी दल कांग्रेस के राजवंशीय नाटक में वे प्रधानमंत्री बने, जो सभी के लिए चौंकाने वाला था और कई लोगों ने उनका स्वागत किया।
पर क्या बस यही था ?? क्या उनके बारे में यही एकमात्र बात है जो लोगों को उनका अनुयायी बना सकती है और उससे भी अधिक उनके उत्साही उपासक; या कुछ अन्य मामलों में उनके सबसे बड़े शत्रु?
सीधे तौर पर यह कहना गलत नहीं था कि "रोम एक दिन में नहीं बना था"। वे देश के प्रधानमंत्री कैसे बने? वो भी जब उनके पास कुछ नहीं था, यह किताब उसी के बारे में है। यह एक आदमी की मानसिकता के बारे में है कि कैसे वह अन्य समक्षणिक मस्तिष्को को समान रूप से सुधारने की दृष्टि से अपने आदर्श स्थान को प्राप्त करता है। एक संपूर्ण मनोविज्ञान है, इसके बारे में जानने, सीखने और समझने के लिए कि दुनिया के सबसे बड़े लोकतंत्र की आशा के लिए क्या करना चाहिए?
उन्हें सिर्फ पार्टी या राजनीति के एक चेहरे से ज्यादा जानने के लिए उनके बारे में पढ़ने के लिए और भी बहुत कुछ है। वे राजनीति के 'प्रबंधन में परिवर्तन' लाने वाले केवल एक व्यक्ति ही नहीं हैं, बल्कि भारतीय राष्ट्रीय कांग्रेस की आत्म-सुविधा के लिए बनाए गए पक्षपाती-धर्मनिरपेक्ष लोकतांत्रिक भारत में 'सुधारवादी' बनकर सामने आए हैं।
एंडी मैरिनो ने उनके जीवन की कहानी को बहुत ही सरल शब्दों में और उनकी आभा को जीवित रखने की बहुत व्यापक भावना के साथ, न केवल एक राजनेता के रूप में बल्कि अपने शब्दों के लिये प्रतिबद्ध एक व्यक्ति के रूप में लिखा है।
एक बच्चे के रूप में उनका मनोविज्ञान और एक राजनेता के रूप में उनके नौसिखिए विचार जो कहीं न कहीं अटल जी के फैसलों के विपरीत थे, को बहुत ही निष्पक्षता से समझाया है। बाद में एक परिपक्व इंसान और एक लोक सेवक (जैसा कि वे कई सार्वजनिक सभा-समारोह में भी खुद को कहते हैं) के रूप में केवल 'अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी' जी के मार्ग का अनुसरण करना, अच्छी तरह से चित्रित किया गया है। नरेंद्र दामोदरदास मोदी अब महज एक नाम नहीं रह गए हैं। वह अब एक विश्व सनसनी बन गए है, एक नेता जो भारतीय संस्कृति और परंपरा के युगों पुरानी विशेषता"वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम" को सामने लाते हैं।
गुजरात में 2002 के दंगों के लिए मोदी को दोष देने के लि�� बहुत हंगामा हुआ। 27 फरवरी, 02 को साबरमती एक्सप्रेस में हिंदू तीर्थयात्रियों को मुस्लिम भीड़ द्वारा जघन्य रूप से जिंदा जलाए जाने के बाद, केवल इस कारण से कि तीर्थयात्री अपने हिंदुओं के लिए सबसे पवित्र में से एक पवित्र स्थान, अयोध्या, जहां एक दशक से भी अधिक समय पहले, कथित भीड़ ने बाबरी मस्जिद को ध्वस्त कर दिया था, जो भगवान राम के जन्म स्थान (गर्भगृह) पर बनी थी, से वापस अपनी घर की यात्रा पर थे।
सबसे पहले, एक क्रूर आक्रमणकारी बाबर को ईश्वर पर प्राथमिकता देना निरर्थक था। दूसरा, जो कुछ गलत था उसके लिए लड़ना, उन्हें फिर से सच्चा अपराधी बना देता है। इंडोनेशिया एक समय में हिंदू राष्ट्र था जो भारतीय संस्कृति का अनुसरण: करता था, हिंदू धर्म के मार्ग पर जीवित था, जिसे लगभग 13 वीं शताब्दी में जबरन मुस्लिम देश में परिवर्तित किया गया था। उपनिवेशीकरण और इस्लामीकरण की इतनी शताब्दियों के बाद भी, वे अभी भी राम-लीला करने और गरुड़ (भगवान विष्णु, जिनका अवतार भगवान राम हैं, के वाहन) को अपने राष्ट्रीय प्रतीक के रूप में सम्मानित करने की अपनी सदियों पुरानी परंपरा को बनाए हुए हैं; और इंडोनेशियाई रुपिया (मुद्रा) को भगवान गणेश (एक और प्रमुख हिंदू भगवान) की छाप के साथ आशीर्वाद दे रहे हैं।
अगर इतनी सदियों की क्रूरताएं अपने पुरखों द्वारा रखे और पालन किए गए मूल्यों पर उनके विश्वास और उनकी दृढ़ स्थिति को वश में या भयभीत नहीं कर सकीं, तो भारत में इतना नाटक क्यों?, जो अवधियों से दुनिया का सच्चा मशाल वाहक था और जिसने कभी भी किसी राष्ट्र पर न अत्याचार किया और ना ही दुनिया के किसी भी हिस्से पर आक्रमण किया।
एंडी ने कथित तौर पर दंगों के मास्टरमाइंड के रूप में दोषी ठहराए गए मोदी के बारे में फैली हुई अफवाह को अच्छी तरह से उद्धृत किया है कि वह पूरे मामले में पूरी तरह से साफ थे, एसआईटी की पूरी सुनवाई की कार्यवाही और निष्कर्षों पर अदालत की मंजूरी और एजेंसी की दस्तावेजी रिपोर्ट को इस तथ्य के रूप में दिखाया है। बाद में मुसलमानों की हत्या पर, उन्होंने तथ्यात्मक रूप से कहा कि यह वे लोग जो कि अपने परिवार के सदस्यों को खो कर के रह गए थे, जिनके साथ गलत व्यवहार किया गया था, जिसके लिए वे किसी भी तरह से संबंधित नहीं थे, उन्हें दंडित करने का कोई कारण नहीं था, उन गैर-राजनीतिक लोगों द्वारा किया गया था।
“महत्वपूर्ण सवाल यह है कि क्या 2002 के दंगों में उनकी भूमिका के लिए मोदी पर कभी मुकदमा चलाया जाएगा?
वह निश्चित रूप से भारतीय दंड संहिता की धारा 166 के तहत कर्तव्य की उपेक्षा का दोषी है। इसके लिए सजा? एक वर्ष के लिए साधारण कारावास, या जुर्माना, या दोनों - असंज्ञेय - जमानती - प्रथम श्रेणी के मजिस्ट्रेट द्वारा विचारणीय - अप्रतिदेय।
तो बस इतना ही। गैर-संज्ञेय, गैर-यौगिक, जमानती। पूरा अभियान मोदी पर मुकदमा चलाने के लिए नहीं बनाया गया है, क्योंकि अभियोजन एक यथार्थवादी विकल्प नहीं है, बल्कि उन्हें बदनाम करने के लिए है ताकि उन्हें दिल्ली में स्थापित व्यवस्था के लिए कोई चुनावी खतरा न हो।
मोदी की 'लापरवाही' - क्योंकि उन्होंने सक्रिय रूप से कुछ भी अवैध नहीं किया - एकमात्र संभावित आरोप है जो उनके खिलाफ कभी भी लाया जा सकता है। बहुत सारे सबूत इस बात की गवाही देते हैं कि मोदी ने लगभग बेकाबू जन दंगों का सामना करने के लिए जल्दी और दृढ़ता से काम किया और भारत में अपने से पहले के कई अन्य राजनेताओं की तुलना में बेहतर प्रदर्शन किया। ”
उन्होंने अपने गुरु लक्ष्मणराव इनामदार 'वकील साहब' (जिसका शीर्षक उनके पेशे के कारण था) के बारे में बहुत चर्चा की। जिसने आपको प्रेरित किया और जिसने संघर्ष के मार्ग में आपका मार्गदर्शन किया, उसका सम्मान करना और याद रखना, व्यक्ति को हमेशा ईमानदार और निष्पक्ष बनाता है, यही नरेंद्र मोदी के चरित्र के बारे में बहुत कुछ बताता है।
कई लोगों और विभिन्न समाचार पत्रों और पत्रिकाओं द्वारा मोदी की कई बार आलोचना की गई थी। नवंबर 2007 में सोनिया गांधी ने भी नवसारी की अपनी यात्रा में उन्हें 'मौत का सौदागर' (मृत्यु का व्यापारी) शीर्षक दिया था। फिर भी ऐसे लोग थे जिन्होंने तथ्यों को स्पष्ट पाया और दुनिया के सामने निष्पक्ष रूप से पेश किया। मुख्यमंत्री के रूप में अपने कार्यकाल के दौरान, अपराधियों पर अपने सख्त कार्रवाई के बारे में, कार्यकर्ता और शिक्षाविद मधु किश्वर ने अपनी नारीवादी महिला पत्रिका 'मानुषी' में ईमानदारी से कहा, "मोदी की राजनीतिक समस्याएं, जिसमें उनकी अपनी पार्टी भी शामिल है, इस तथ्य से उपजी है कि वह किसी भी गलत काम करने वाले को बचाने के लिए तैयार नहीं हैं"।
'गंगा मां का अवतार है, तो भारत भी है' , मोदी ने कहा, 'गाय भी मां के रूप में पूजनीय है। महिलाओं की स्थिति हमेशा सर्वोच्च रही है, इस पर कोई दो विचार नहीं हैं।' उनकी विभिन्न योजनाएं जैसे बालिकाओं के लिए नर्मदा बांड, मूल्य रु1000/-, उनकी शिक्षा में सहायता के लिए एक बहुत अच्छा कदम था और एक आशा मात्र से कहीं अधिक था।
इसके अलावा, सीएम के रूप में अपने कार्यकाल के दौरान गुजरात की स्थिति में सुधार के लिए उनकी पंचामृत योजना ने उत्कृष्ट प्रदर्शन किया। किसानों का समर्थन करने के लिए 'जन शक्ति' ; शिक्षा और कौशल विकास प्रदान करने के लिए 'ज्ञान शक्ति' ; पीने के लिए सुरक्षित और स्वच्छ पानी और सिंचाई जैसे अन्य उपयोगों के लिए प्रत्येक व्यक्ति की पहुंच को आगे बढ़ाने के लिए 'जल शक्ति' ; 'ऊर्जा शक्ति' गांव के इलाकों से 'अंधेरे' के अधिकार को दूर करने और गुजरात के हर क्षेत्र को रोशन करने के लिए; और अंत में, 'रक्षा शक्ति' सभी के लिए एक सुरक्षित स्थान बनाने के लिए, विशेष रूप से महिलाओं के लिए।
'अधिक शासन और कम राजनीति' पर उनके दबाव ने 80 के दशक के कांग्रेसी सीएम माधव सिंह सोलंकी द्वारा 'खाम' के तहत मुफ्तखोरी से बहुत दूर, प्रत्येक गुजराती को अपने और अपने परिवार के लिए कमाने में सक्षम बनाकर राज्य का नेतृत्व करने की अवधि बढ़ा दी। अरविंद केजरीवाल आजकल राजनीति में जो खेल खेल रहे हैं, वह मोदी के लिए एक लंबे समय से खोए बचपन के खेल की तरह है; यही कारण है कि वह किसी भी अन्य राजनेता की ही तरह मोदी के आसपास कहीं नहीं खड़े हैं।
जैसा कि उन्होंने पहले कहा था "लोकतंत्र में अंतिम न्यायाधीश कौन होता है? अंतिम न्यायाधीश मतदाता है।" अब तो दुनिया भी जानती है कि दुनिया में शीर्ष नेता का पद पाने का सबसे मजबूत दावेदार कौन है?
मेरे लिए गहन शोध और तथ्यों पर आधारित यह पुस्तक 5.0/5.0 के लायक है।
July 13, 2016
Andy Marino, the author, states that he has tried very hard to present an objective and unbiased view on the rise of Narendra Modi from humble beginnings to be one of the most influential people in the world. While there is much to admire about Modi and his inexorable rise but as a Muslim, I have always been biased against Narendra Modi for his part in the 2002 Gujarat riots and atrocities against the Muslim community in Gujarat. I also had an opportunity to see Narendra Modi address a very large gathering of Indians in Dubai in 2015.... a once in a lifetime experience regardless of how I felt about his notorious past as the Gujarat CM. The man knows how to have the audience eating out of the palm of his hand... a wonderful orator with the common touch.
After reading this book, I surprisingly began to feel if whether I just followed the popular sentiment against Modi without really understanding what really happened.
As a book, i rather enjoyed this and managed to finish it in about a week of sporadic reading. That's a pretty good effort from my side for a non fiction book so no matter what I feel about the actual content, the book was well written and enjoyable to read.
Unfortunately, I seriously have to question who actually commissioned this book to be written. The author who had a lot of unfettered access to Modi for a period seemed to have been brainwashed by him to an extent. Andy Marino appears to have written this book at the behest of what is probably a phalanx of spin doctors who are looking after the Modi image....maybe they actually did the final edit on the book before it went to the printers. While Marino says he's tried to play the devil's advocate to most the major events in Modi's life, Modi almost always comes out of them smelling of roses. I also learnt a lot of things I didn't know about Modi before he became Gujarat CM. He was much more worldly and well travelled than I gave him credit for.... plus he has always been a proven, extraordinary administrator.
I wonder how many incidents have been glossed over or simply conveniently left out of the book. Something to ponder. Author has listed all or most of his sources at the back of the book but chances are that these sources were possibly already positively biased towards Modi so the book represents a rather one sided view on the man.
I cannot fail to admit that for at least an hour after reading this book, I almost felt as if Modi was blameless so if that was the author's purpose or those of this backers then it has been very successful. At the very least, even if Modi was cleared of any wrong doing for the atrocities in Gujarat by the highest court in the land, his silence on the matter and lack of proper retaliatory action at the time still really rankles with me. Marino has tried to justify this with proof and succeeds to an extent at first reading but common sense prevailed though and I remain unconvinced.
Modi is credited with the major success of "Vibrant" state of Gujarat but I never really followed his career as the CM so will not comment too much about it. As the Indian PM, Modi has been extremely active as PM of India and I don't think he has done a bad job at all. At least he seems to be doing something unlike the previous It may all be just for show but sometimes that's needed. If he manages to achieve even a fraction of the success he has had with Gujarat then he's on the right path.
Worth reading but maybe in conjunction with other reading that is more critical of the man.
After reading this book, I surprisingly began to feel if whether I just followed the popular sentiment against Modi without really understanding what really happened.
As a book, i rather enjoyed this and managed to finish it in about a week of sporadic reading. That's a pretty good effort from my side for a non fiction book so no matter what I feel about the actual content, the book was well written and enjoyable to read.
Unfortunately, I seriously have to question who actually commissioned this book to be written. The author who had a lot of unfettered access to Modi for a period seemed to have been brainwashed by him to an extent. Andy Marino appears to have written this book at the behest of what is probably a phalanx of spin doctors who are looking after the Modi image....maybe they actually did the final edit on the book before it went to the printers. While Marino says he's tried to play the devil's advocate to most the major events in Modi's life, Modi almost always comes out of them smelling of roses. I also learnt a lot of things I didn't know about Modi before he became Gujarat CM. He was much more worldly and well travelled than I gave him credit for.... plus he has always been a proven, extraordinary administrator.
I wonder how many incidents have been glossed over or simply conveniently left out of the book. Something to ponder. Author has listed all or most of his sources at the back of the book but chances are that these sources were possibly already positively biased towards Modi so the book represents a rather one sided view on the man.
I cannot fail to admit that for at least an hour after reading this book, I almost felt as if Modi was blameless so if that was the author's purpose or those of this backers then it has been very successful. At the very least, even if Modi was cleared of any wrong doing for the atrocities in Gujarat by the highest court in the land, his silence on the matter and lack of proper retaliatory action at the time still really rankles with me. Marino has tried to justify this with proof and succeeds to an extent at first reading but common sense prevailed though and I remain unconvinced.
Modi is credited with the major success of "Vibrant" state of Gujarat but I never really followed his career as the CM so will not comment too much about it. As the Indian PM, Modi has been extremely active as PM of India and I don't think he has done a bad job at all. At least he seems to be doing something unlike the previous It may all be just for show but sometimes that's needed. If he manages to achieve even a fraction of the success he has had with Gujarat then he's on the right path.
Worth reading but maybe in conjunction with other reading that is more critical of the man.
October 22, 2014
I finished reading 'Narendra Modi' by Andy Marino. Following this, I read about the various described incidents on the internet and in the book's appendix.
I am feeling a bit ashamed about myself. Although, not a politician-basher by nature, I have sometimes participated in what I can now describe as "absolute trash"-like politics sessions with my colleagues and people around me. I lived in Gujarat for 20 years out of my 24 - 10 of those after the Gujarat riots. It took a biography to tell me that Modi did much more than just improve Surat's roads and industries.
The book revolves around Narendra Modi's life. But after the first half or so, it is an analysis of Modi's stint as Gujarat CM since he took over in October 2001. Gujarat riots of 2002 have been analyzed in what appears to be an impartial manner - there is not much adulation, not much rapping. Facts presented are backed up by research - 23% of the book is the appendix and links to relevant articles, videos and documentation. The important incidents like the Ishrat Jahan case, Shah Bano case, Sohrabuddin Sheikh case, etc. have all been touched upon. There are praises for Modi's stoicism. There is a clear recommendation for where Gujarat is lagging yet in spite of its golden projection.
I enjoyed the read not only because of the impartial and unemotional tone of the author, but also because (like the Steve Jobs autobiography) the author has managed to extract a lot from a man assumed to be a closed book to the outside world. And what you read will definitely impress you. Young Indians - especially if you have spent even a little time in Gujarat and experienced "development" - you need to know the man better. Especially about his quiet underground rise in the RSS and BJP ranks.
I am feeling a bit ashamed about myself. Although, not a politician-basher by nature, I have sometimes participated in what I can now describe as "absolute trash"-like politics sessions with my colleagues and people around me. I lived in Gujarat for 20 years out of my 24 - 10 of those after the Gujarat riots. It took a biography to tell me that Modi did much more than just improve Surat's roads and industries.
The book revolves around Narendra Modi's life. But after the first half or so, it is an analysis of Modi's stint as Gujarat CM since he took over in October 2001. Gujarat riots of 2002 have been analyzed in what appears to be an impartial manner - there is not much adulation, not much rapping. Facts presented are backed up by research - 23% of the book is the appendix and links to relevant articles, videos and documentation. The important incidents like the Ishrat Jahan case, Shah Bano case, Sohrabuddin Sheikh case, etc. have all been touched upon. There are praises for Modi's stoicism. There is a clear recommendation for where Gujarat is lagging yet in spite of its golden projection.
I enjoyed the read not only because of the impartial and unemotional tone of the author, but also because (like the Steve Jobs autobiography) the author has managed to extract a lot from a man assumed to be a closed book to the outside world. And what you read will definitely impress you. Young Indians - especially if you have spent even a little time in Gujarat and experienced "development" - you need to know the man better. Especially about his quiet underground rise in the RSS and BJP ranks.
March 25, 2018
He is winning 2019, probably 2024 too.
As a close observer to the ever changing political scenario in India, I thought I had a good grasp of how politics and politicians work. I also knew that Modi was an anomaly to both left and right. But there was so much stuff that I didn't know. This book is a different kind of biography. Yes, its about Modi, but it also dealt with changing political scenario and events of the country.
Any analysis of Modi's performance, his decisions are carefully scrutinized by thorough analysis of statistics, analysis of Modi's words, words of the contemporary personalities and media. I mentioned that Modi is an anomaly to both left and right both of whom are used to a hardline political and economic ideology. Obviously, due to his kind of rebellious behavior, Modi had to face hardships and oppositions from outside as well as from his own party.
One of the most well researched and comprehensive chapter in this book is on riots. Any neutral person after reading that chapter would come to a conclusion that Modi has been a target of media and UPA for political reasons for over a decade. You can't help but feel anger towards Congress and media. However, book also elaborates how this whole character assassination of Modi backfired and in fact helped Modi rise to the central stage in 2014. Wherever possible, book also deals with criticism of Modi in a fair way. Answers are backed up by proper stats and research studies. Gujrat's model has been one of the greatest success stories amongst Indian states. One criticism of which has been that it isn't inclusive. These criticisms are also thoroughly answered and decimated as most of these are politically motivated without substance. A fact, that most Indians are now able to see as evident in election results. Modi has been able to put a dent to vote bank politics, BJP winning seats in even Muslim majority constituencies. How did he achieved that? You'll be answered satisfactory.
Love him or hate him, you can't deny that he's the strongest PM India had in a while. He has a clear perspective of achieving developmental goals for our nation and he is one of those rare politicians from left, right, center who doesn't make all his policies for vote bank politics. No wonder everyone in the opposition has been targeting Modi.
P.S. You might not like this book if you are a Congress supporter.
As a close observer to the ever changing political scenario in India, I thought I had a good grasp of how politics and politicians work. I also knew that Modi was an anomaly to both left and right. But there was so much stuff that I didn't know. This book is a different kind of biography. Yes, its about Modi, but it also dealt with changing political scenario and events of the country.
Any analysis of Modi's performance, his decisions are carefully scrutinized by thorough analysis of statistics, analysis of Modi's words, words of the contemporary personalities and media. I mentioned that Modi is an anomaly to both left and right both of whom are used to a hardline political and economic ideology. Obviously, due to his kind of rebellious behavior, Modi had to face hardships and oppositions from outside as well as from his own party.
One of the most well researched and comprehensive chapter in this book is on riots. Any neutral person after reading that chapter would come to a conclusion that Modi has been a target of media and UPA for political reasons for over a decade. You can't help but feel anger towards Congress and media. However, book also elaborates how this whole character assassination of Modi backfired and in fact helped Modi rise to the central stage in 2014. Wherever possible, book also deals with criticism of Modi in a fair way. Answers are backed up by proper stats and research studies. Gujrat's model has been one of the greatest success stories amongst Indian states. One criticism of which has been that it isn't inclusive. These criticisms are also thoroughly answered and decimated as most of these are politically motivated without substance. A fact, that most Indians are now able to see as evident in election results. Modi has been able to put a dent to vote bank politics, BJP winning seats in even Muslim majority constituencies. How did he achieved that? You'll be answered satisfactory.
Love him or hate him, you can't deny that he's the strongest PM India had in a while. He has a clear perspective of achieving developmental goals for our nation and he is one of those rare politicians from left, right, center who doesn't make all his policies for vote bank politics. No wonder everyone in the opposition has been targeting Modi.
P.S. You might not like this book if you are a Congress supporter.
August 27, 2016
Narendra Modi's political biography is a really good book and an eye opener on what really happened during the key hours of the 2002 riots. It also sheds a lot of light on the life of our PM before and way up till 2014 June-July time frame. The book looks a events with an unbiased view without the prejudices seen in most print and news media.
May 28, 2018
I enjoyed reading about Narendra Modi's professional journey over more than 45 years from his initiation in the RSS, then the BJP, being appointed as the prime ministerial candidate to winning a huge mandate in the Lok Sabha elections since 1984.
Modi has worked his way up the cadre and demonstrated his administrative & organizational skills while organizing rath yatras throughout India and preparing for elections as a participant in the background.
The media has always been overly critical of Modi, especially since 2002; also refusing to accept the Gujarat model of development. He was the Gujarat CM for 3 terms before being appointed as the Prime Minister of India.
As the 2019 elections approach, Modi will be looking to win a second term. Much has been done in the last 4 years but lots more still needs to be done.
Read the book if you wish to get a gist of Modi's life - from his childhood days to where he has reached now.
Modi has worked his way up the cadre and demonstrated his administrative & organizational skills while organizing rath yatras throughout India and preparing for elections as a participant in the background.
The media has always been overly critical of Modi, especially since 2002; also refusing to accept the Gujarat model of development. He was the Gujarat CM for 3 terms before being appointed as the Prime Minister of India.
As the 2019 elections approach, Modi will be looking to win a second term. Much has been done in the last 4 years but lots more still needs to be done.
Read the book if you wish to get a gist of Modi's life - from his childhood days to where he has reached now.
June 12, 2015
The author has presented a prestine and articulate account of the life of Narendra Modi in a positive light, as a biography is meant to be. It is an enjoyable read and by far the best resource to understand the most important aspects of Modi's life, his marriage, RSS, godhra and it's aftermath. A must read for someone who appreciates him and a even more recommended reading for those who are yet to know and understand what Modi's model of governance and his philosophy is.
July 24, 2018
Complete review published on https://swarajyamag.com/books/the-mod...
A very engaging and well written book that tries to delve into the making of Modi the PM-elect of India. One of the few books where an actual effort is made to understand the person rather than just cry hoarse about pre-conceived notions marketed by the media.
A very engaging and well written book that tries to delve into the making of Modi the PM-elect of India. One of the few books where an actual effort is made to understand the person rather than just cry hoarse about pre-conceived notions marketed by the media.
December 4, 2018
The chaiwala who became the Prime minister of India : Narendra damodar das Modi
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I was born in a very poor family. I used to sell tea in a railway coach as a child. My mother used to wash utensils and do lowly household work in the houses of others to earn a livelihood. I have seen poverty very closely. I have lived in poverty. As a child, my entire childhood was steeped in poverty.
- Narendra Modi
Narendra Modi, a political biography, is a well researched and a balanced book with solid facts on one of the most powerful Prime Minister, India, ever had until now.
As very few people have direct access to meet and interview PM Modi, the Author of this book travelled with him before the 2014 Lok sabha elections, interviewed him, asked about his philosophy of life, about his early life in the RSS as a pracharak, his ups and downs in BJP, and he also discussed the infamous ''2002-Gujarat riots'' with balanced facts and figures.
Narendra damodardas modi was born on 17 Sep 1950 in the town of vadnagar in gujarat. His father was a tea seller who used to sell tea at the nearby railway station and his mother was a housewife.
Narendra was a very active child who enjoyed helping his father in their tea business. When he was only 8 years old he started attending the local shakhas of the Rashtriya swayamsevak sangh ( RSS ), but the man who became Modi's mentor and guide in the RSS was a man by the name of 'vakil saheb'.
Young Narendra was a spiritual person who later leaved his home to find the purpose of his life. He travelled as far as Himalayas, wandered like a yogi throughout India and realized the spiritual Powers of hindustan.
Modi's profile in the RSS had risen because of his underground activities during the draconian 1975 emergency in which he played a very active role. later in the year 1987 he joined the political wing of the RSS i.e. The BJP.
And Because of his brilliant organizational skills and innovative thinking he was appointed by his party as the CM of Gujarat in Oct 2001, and he remained as the CM for 12 long years, and he transformed gujarat from a riot prone state to a manufacturing and industrial hub.
The Author also discussed in this book about the 'Gujarat Model', and how the dynastic Congress party realized that modi was the real threat to the Congress hegemony. The language of the book is not that tough and there are several pictures of Modi in this book. I would recommend this book to those Readers who are interested in reading about the man who became the prime minister of India because of his talent and not because of his surname or family.
My Ratings : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
I hope you like the Review, thanks for reading, Jai Hind.
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I was born in a very poor family. I used to sell tea in a railway coach as a child. My mother used to wash utensils and do lowly household work in the houses of others to earn a livelihood. I have seen poverty very closely. I have lived in poverty. As a child, my entire childhood was steeped in poverty.
- Narendra Modi
Narendra Modi, a political biography, is a well researched and a balanced book with solid facts on one of the most powerful Prime Minister, India, ever had until now.
As very few people have direct access to meet and interview PM Modi, the Author of this book travelled with him before the 2014 Lok sabha elections, interviewed him, asked about his philosophy of life, about his early life in the RSS as a pracharak, his ups and downs in BJP, and he also discussed the infamous ''2002-Gujarat riots'' with balanced facts and figures.
Narendra damodardas modi was born on 17 Sep 1950 in the town of vadnagar in gujarat. His father was a tea seller who used to sell tea at the nearby railway station and his mother was a housewife.
Narendra was a very active child who enjoyed helping his father in their tea business. When he was only 8 years old he started attending the local shakhas of the Rashtriya swayamsevak sangh ( RSS ), but the man who became Modi's mentor and guide in the RSS was a man by the name of 'vakil saheb'.
Young Narendra was a spiritual person who later leaved his home to find the purpose of his life. He travelled as far as Himalayas, wandered like a yogi throughout India and realized the spiritual Powers of hindustan.
Modi's profile in the RSS had risen because of his underground activities during the draconian 1975 emergency in which he played a very active role. later in the year 1987 he joined the political wing of the RSS i.e. The BJP.
And Because of his brilliant organizational skills and innovative thinking he was appointed by his party as the CM of Gujarat in Oct 2001, and he remained as the CM for 12 long years, and he transformed gujarat from a riot prone state to a manufacturing and industrial hub.
The Author also discussed in this book about the 'Gujarat Model', and how the dynastic Congress party realized that modi was the real threat to the Congress hegemony. The language of the book is not that tough and there are several pictures of Modi in this book. I would recommend this book to those Readers who are interested in reading about the man who became the prime minister of India because of his talent and not because of his surname or family.
My Ratings : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
I hope you like the Review, thanks for reading, Jai Hind.
May 13, 2015
The book charts out the journey of Narendra Modi from a boy in a small village in Gujarat to the post of Prime Minister of India. The author says that he has tried to be objective at every point. He has, in fact, talked about faults within the Modi model and has also talked about the successes of Modi.The book ultimately turns out to look quite supportive of Modi's model. But I have to admit that the author has stuck to facts and done a good enough job to makes it quite difficult for the Modi detractors to rubbish the book.
The book talks about Modi's life from an outsider's perspective. It sometimes feels that it is more about what Modi has done than who Modi is. But there are times when the descriptions of Modi and his character are top-notch. The way the author describes Modi's relationship with his mother and father are examples of these. But I felt at the end of the book that I did not get a full description of the person who I wanted to read about. Maybe the author simply did not have the information or he chose not to put it all, I don't know.
In a nut shell, it was a good read. A good summary of the most talked about politician of the decade. The book was released before Modi became PM, so the moment of Modi's success is not part of the book.
The book is worth a read any day.
The book talks about Modi's life from an outsider's perspective. It sometimes feels that it is more about what Modi has done than who Modi is. But there are times when the descriptions of Modi and his character are top-notch. The way the author describes Modi's relationship with his mother and father are examples of these. But I felt at the end of the book that I did not get a full description of the person who I wanted to read about. Maybe the author simply did not have the information or he chose not to put it all, I don't know.
In a nut shell, it was a good read. A good summary of the most talked about politician of the decade. The book was released before Modi became PM, so the moment of Modi's success is not part of the book.
The book is worth a read any day.
April 28, 2016
Fabricated Hagiography penned by a mysterious wordsmith whose background is vague. An unknown author wrote this ordered hagiography as propaganda pamphlet of RSS. BJP and VHP gave plenty of remuneration to this invisible wordsmith to authored this political hagiography with purpose to make the image of a butcher brighter, who conducted reprehensible pogrom, orchestrated abhorrent genocide, perpetrated abominable holocaust, masterminded culpable ethnic cleansing and planed contemptible riots. Modi who is a despicable murderer, obnoxious killer, ignominious rioter, execrable pogromer; his hands are red with blood, with despondency, despair and cry of destitute innocents, impecunious minorities who were helpless, vulnerable and marginalized.
September 8, 2014
Since I don't have much knowledge of literature, it is hard to know for me how Andy Marino's writing was so splendid in describing 21st century's one of the greatest man Narendra Modi.... best part of the book is that it covers a lot of aspects of Modi & his governance although 2002 portion is still a bit more than required.....while reading I almost felt as if I am watching a movie of an exceptional hero.... Marino has adopted a very well balanced approach and truly understands India a lot better than many mediapersons within the country.
A fabulous read but don't expect too many spices....people try to create it in Modi but there aren't many !
A fabulous read but don't expect too many spices....people try to create it in Modi but there aren't many !
June 1, 2019
Fascinating read! I especially loved the first parts on early years & learning the ropes. Intertwined with history & the political scene of India in the 60s and 70s and Modi’s early education ‘on the job’ in various roles.. it makes compelling reading for anyone with an interest in history /politics of India. The latter parts of the book did seem a bit ‘pro-modi’ like, if it is truly based on facts, then it’s impressive and there’s lots that most of us don’t know even today of the person who is PM of India for 5 years now. The author has a very nice gripping writing style, it reads like a book of fiction and once started I could hardly put it down.
June 14, 2023
The problem with a political biography, that too Indian, is that the author doesn't paint a clear picture. The author is always biased. This book has depth, and it shows how Indian politics work. Definitely worth a read if you're interested in what happened in the last few decades of politics, and Prime Minister is a fascinating subject himself, he did rise up with his work ethic and ideology to our pm from a rebellious boy who joined rss and started his political career doing petty chores. But now I have to read politics from another perspective to get some balance.
June 10, 2015
The book attempts to dispel innumerous misapprehensions about a man who was on the way to becoming the Prime Minister of India. The author makes a very strong case in favour of Modi and his actions, be it the post-Godhra incidents or development indicators of Gujrat during his stint as the Chief Minister. The narration is taut and keeps the reader hooked. Some of the quotes of Narendre Modi are quite revealing.
October 20, 2014
For me biographies often are to positive. And this is not an exception. Mr Modi is explained as a genius from early days. Well he has achieved a lot in Gujarat so no we follow to see what he manage in India in total. The book is worth reading while we wait for result, it is not done in some months to change India.
October 2, 2014
Andy Marino have protrayed Modi life from his early days up till now.
He elaborate how Modi climbed ladder by ladder by his hardship and dedication to reach the position he is now.
Very inspiring story and Worth Reading!! for Modi Fans.
He elaborate how Modi climbed ladder by ladder by his hardship and dedication to reach the position he is now.
Very inspiring story and Worth Reading!! for Modi Fans.
July 20, 2016
Reads like a propoganda brochure!
April 22, 2019
‘Sahase Dhairye Laxmi’, which is an old proverb best suited to explain the life of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Read
February 23, 2020Trying to understand high profile public persons through the media blitz is like the legend of the blind men trying to understand the elephant.
Driven by an agenda, the media harps and highlights one or two most controversial episodes of the personality, even risking their own credibility in the gamble.
The vilification campaign running for a decade against Modi made one to wonder how on earth such an individual became accepted by a section of his party and 25 crore people of India!
That is why it becomes vital to have access to an unbiased biography of the public person to understand his personality.
http://www.strawberrykrishnareads.com...
Driven by an agenda, the media harps and highlights one or two most controversial episodes of the personality, even risking their own credibility in the gamble.
The vilification campaign running for a decade against Modi made one to wonder how on earth such an individual became accepted by a section of his party and 25 crore people of India!
That is why it becomes vital to have access to an unbiased biography of the public person to understand his personality.
http://www.strawberrykrishnareads.com...
November 18, 2019
India has witnessed a prime minister after a long time who speaks.
February 25, 2017
A well researched book. It does give you a neutral perspective. I have never been a Modi fan and have always had this impression that he was the 'primary' reason for the 2002 riots. I haven't researched too much into the details of why or how he was responsible for the riots. I went by the media but this book does give the background details (assuming the details to be true) of the riots and Modi's course of action.
The book starts with Modi's childhood days and then moves on to his RSS days as a teenager. The book starts slowly but picks up pace once Modi becomes the CM and the riots happen. The riot chapters , punctuated with so many facts and evidences, forced me to give the benefit of the doubt to Modi. Going by the facts stated in the book , it was NOT Modi's inaction that made the riots worse.
The author being a foreigner (makes it more credible) does give a good idea on the developments of Gujarat. Those chapters were too much numbers and copy paste of newspaper articles where I felt like putting the book down. But somehow managed to read those and finish the book. The final few pages talk about his moves to become the PM and was a decent read.
Overall a book recommended for Modi haters so that you can get a decent picture of the man, that will probably turn you into a neutral!!
The book starts with Modi's childhood days and then moves on to his RSS days as a teenager. The book starts slowly but picks up pace once Modi becomes the CM and the riots happen. The riot chapters , punctuated with so many facts and evidences, forced me to give the benefit of the doubt to Modi. Going by the facts stated in the book , it was NOT Modi's inaction that made the riots worse.
The author being a foreigner (makes it more credible) does give a good idea on the developments of Gujarat. Those chapters were too much numbers and copy paste of newspaper articles where I felt like putting the book down. But somehow managed to read those and finish the book. The final few pages talk about his moves to become the PM and was a decent read.
Overall a book recommended for Modi haters so that you can get a decent picture of the man, that will probably turn you into a neutral!!
September 20, 2015
I have always admired innovators and go-getters. In a country with world's second largest population, it is not easy to fight or change the system unless you are super determined. It's easy to talk big and forget about it the next morning. It is easy to want good things and positive change. But it is not easy to have the courage to stand up and work towards it, risking your own life. You have to be super driven to fix the mess with almost nil to less selfish interest. If a progressing nation (or progressive nation) is world's hope then that nation's government (governance :-)) is the hope of the people of that nation. This book being pro-PM, it does clarify some stance against the PM. Sometimes, it's important to keep the past as past and look at what present has to offer. It is important to understand what happened but it is more important to see the results from current strategical directions to trust that we are heading in right direction. The expectations have been set by the PM. Work is being done towards achieving the expectations. Some results are delivered. And hope is all expectations will be met with good results. Appreciate PM's good intentions and courage to bring in positive change, great leadership and dedication.
September 29, 2014
A wonderful read and couldn't resist myself to avoid any pause despite many senior preferences and time constraints.
I didn't know that much about this great personality and never did bear that much respect for him ever before.
For instance, a few months back I passed by his General Election rally in Chennai and saw a huge crowd but not wished to listen or even to see him. (No hared, but due to no such great likes).
Today on finishing the life story, I get even angry on myself that how foolishly I wasted the opportunity that day.
Well, It is a very good read as I came to known about many different tactics of Modi sir. A complete different way of thinking..
...to provide pointers to few-
"modernization without westernization", "Panchamruts- The 5 Shaktis", "Gramin/Dalit vikas mela", "Removing the poverty by empowering the poor not by - Free Food disctibution"... and many such...
One more thing at last, I have read only Marino's view and depiction on Modi sir, who always defended and presented proofs in his support. So, I can't say if someone new presents a different picture with his/her views.
I didn't know that much about this great personality and never did bear that much respect for him ever before.
For instance, a few months back I passed by his General Election rally in Chennai and saw a huge crowd but not wished to listen or even to see him. (No hared, but due to no such great likes).
Today on finishing the life story, I get even angry on myself that how foolishly I wasted the opportunity that day.
Well, It is a very good read as I came to known about many different tactics of Modi sir. A complete different way of thinking..
...to provide pointers to few-
"modernization without westernization", "Panchamruts- The 5 Shaktis", "Gramin/Dalit vikas mela", "Removing the poverty by empowering the poor not by - Free Food disctibution"... and many such...
One more thing at last, I have read only Marino's view and depiction on Modi sir, who always defended and presented proofs in his support. So, I can't say if someone new presents a different picture with his/her views.
October 21, 2015
Like many of you, I have been confused about the political narrative of our country over the last year or so. Been hearing sharply polarizing views from people whose perspective I respect. Parts of the Modi narrative in particular have been inspiring and part despairing.
Over the last year, have been trying to read all political books being written, gleaning bits and pieces of startling information and facts. Facts contrary to the either of the mainstream narratives in place today.
One such book is the book by Andy Marino "Modi- a political biography".
As an unbiased biography, it has no value. Its quite clearly a mouthpiece work. But that's its value, in the fact that Modi speaks. On everything that we have asked of him. He uses chronology to present the logic of his assertions.
So, For a balanced view, especially for supposed liberals (who knows what that means, I barely know my lefts from my rights, forget about my centres) like me, its important to read some of these perspectives.
One comforting fact, its startlingly bereft of any dogma, religious or political. I loved that.
Prameet Kamat
Over the last year, have been trying to read all political books being written, gleaning bits and pieces of startling information and facts. Facts contrary to the either of the mainstream narratives in place today.
One such book is the book by Andy Marino "Modi- a political biography".
As an unbiased biography, it has no value. Its quite clearly a mouthpiece work. But that's its value, in the fact that Modi speaks. On everything that we have asked of him. He uses chronology to present the logic of his assertions.
So, For a balanced view, especially for supposed liberals (who knows what that means, I barely know my lefts from my rights, forget about my centres) like me, its important to read some of these perspectives.
One comforting fact, its startlingly bereft of any dogma, religious or political. I loved that.
Prameet Kamat
March 25, 2015
British writer Andy Marino has come up with a fantabulous compilation... This is something you call, 'getting under the skin of a project'... The selection of words, lucid language, and the content without sermonizing or getting hagiographic is miiiind blowing... It is said that he had the chance to be with Modi for quite a sometime, and even he acknowledges the same in his preface... Yes agreed but on top of all this, to put life into your piece of work to this meticulous tune is commendable, and is the ullage of class of a writer... And the USP is the way he holds the bearing, as the protagonist he is handling is a huge persona, who is all over the place with all his elements discussed in all forms of media and medium... This book reminds me of the film 'Gandhi' a masterpiece work on an Indian by a British film maker Sir Richard Attenborough, even today Gandhi's screenplay (By John Briley) is considered as one of the best screenplay ever written... I was really disappointed when this book got over, as I wanted to keep on reading it... Keep on reading it... Keep on reading it...
November 15, 2015
Great insight into India and the new Prime Minister and crucial reading since people are calling the next decade India's to lose. Shows how Modi came to power by micro-managing his image - from designing his own shirts for the campaign to white-washing the Gujarat affair. Still can't decide whether his true interests lie - whether he is really a son of the BJP and is a hindu nationalist or whether it was cynical opportunism. The answer to this question will decide India's next decade. But a well written and crafted biography. (Also New Zealand makes a cameo appearance when it is pointed out that even New Zealand PM got a call returned from him before Obama!).
February 7, 2016
I kept in mind that most biographies and auto-biographies are hagiographic, yet this book turned out to be a non-dramatic, balanced narration of the man and his motives. Marino's effort to stay neutral is evident, and in some places feels forced; but he states facts and presents the other side in all places, however briefly. It can at least be used as an index to probe further since nothing in the political arena is straightforward anyway. The fact that Marino is an outsider is the saving grace, he manages to see beyond deep rooted biases that any Indian might have had in writing such a book. His research is extensive and he weaves it together in a very readable form. Kept turning the page!
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