NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged the younger generation to read long-form content such as autobiographies in the “age of reels”, cautioning that social media influencers could pull them in different directions and that chasing shortcuts could prove counterproductive.
“Shortcut will cut you short,” Modi said while releasing former President Ram Nath Kovind’s autobiography, Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles, at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.
“This is the age of reels. Social media influencers pull you here and there. In this age of shortcuts, remember one thing,” Modi said, drawing an analogy with warnings at railway stations against crossing tracks instead of using foot overbridges.
Urging young people to read about the lives of those they admire, Modi said autobiographies offered a different perspective on historical events and helped readers understand the struggles behind individual achievements.
“Even if you want to go by shortcuts, I urge the youth — read autobiographies of whoever you admire. Autobiographies give you the chance to understand the events of history in a different way. They are close to history,” he said.
The Prime Minister said Kovind’s life demonstrated how determination could help a person overcome adversity and rise to the country’s highest constitutional office.
Describing the autobiography as a “heritage for Indian democracy”, Modi said the younger generation had much to learn from the former President’s life.
“We need many more young people who would be like Kovind in future — people who are not defeated by circumstances but possess the determination to overcome every challenge,” he said.
Modi said that while Kovind’s life and struggles were personal, “the victories of those struggles belong to Indian democracy”.
He also highlighted Kovind’s public engagement after demitting office, particularly his work on the “One Nation, One Election” initiative, which the Prime Minister said could “open a new chapter in Indian democracy”.
Recalling Kovind’s childhood, Modi said the former President had lost his mother in a fire but overcame the tragedy with the values and strength instilled in him by his father.
Modi also recalled his interactions with Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan, saying the former President would engage him in conversations beyond normal protocol and personally see him off to his car.
Speaking at the event, Kovind recalled the hardships of his childhood in a village in Kanpur Dehat, Uttar Pradesh, including living in a house where rainwater leaked through the roof.
He said crores of poor families had since received houses under government schemes, enabling them to live with dignity.
Kovind also recalled former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s commitment to uplifting the “last person in the line” and praised Modi’s ability to connect with ordinary party workers.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who attended the event, described Kovind as a symbol of determination and praised his contribution to strengthening India’s diplomatic relations.
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