New Delhi/ Bhopal May 26, 2026

Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday launched his memoir Apnapan: Narendra Modi Sang Mere Anubhav in New Delhi, chronicling his 35-year-long political and personal association with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The book was formally released by former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu in the presence of former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium in the NASC Complex. The memoir traces the journey of both leaders from their early days as grassroots party workers to becoming Chief Ministers and later working together at the national level. The book also highlights Modi’s leadership style, discipline, work ethic and ideological commitment towards “Seva”, “Antyodaya” and “Nation First”.

According to the Rural Development Ministry, Apnapan is a deeply personal and reflective work. The book chronicles Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s experiences, observations and learnings from more than 35 years of political and organisational association with Narendra Modi. The memoir traces their journey from the early days as Bharatiya Janata Party workers to becoming Chief Ministers of their respective states and later working together in the Union government. More than a political memoir, the book explores themes of leadership, public service and nation-building. It highlights ideas such as “Seva”, “Antyodaya”, “Jan Bhagidari”, “Nation First” and “Lok Kalyan”, which Chouhan describes as central to governance and public life.

The narrative also examines different dimensions of Narendra Modi’s leadership style, policy initiatives and governance philosophy based on “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas”. The book attempts to show how organisational discipline, determination and public connect helped transform political vision into governance outcomes. The Ministry said the book is expected to connect with political workers, youth, women, entrepreneurs and readers interested in governance and public leadership.

According to reports, during the launch event, Chouhan shared an interesting anecdote from the early election days to highlight Modi’s far-sighted thinking and early understanding of technology long before the digital revolution transformed India. Recalling the incident, Shivraj said a meeting was organised to prepare for elections when Narendra Modi unexpectedly asked party workers, “Who has an email ID?” The question reportedly left many leaders surprised at that time when email and internet were still unfamiliar to most people. Shivraj recalled that there was silence in the room before senior BJP leader late Babulal Gaur jokingly responded, “Narendra Bhai, what will happen with this female email?” Through the anecdote, Chouhan attempted to underline how Modi had already understood the future importance of technology in governance, communication and nation-building. He said Modi could see far ahead and believed technology would play a major role in shaping a developed India. According to Shivraj, Modi’s ability to prepare for future challenges and adapt early to changing times became one of the defining features of his leadership style over the years.

Born in Jait village of Sehore district in Madhya Pradesh in 1959, Shivraj Singh Chouhan joined the RSS at the age of 15 and later became active in the ABVP. Over the years, he held several organisational responsibilities within the BJP and its youth wing. He began his electoral career in 1990 as MLA from Budhni and entered the Lok Sabha from Vidisha in 1991. Chouhan later became the longest-serving Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, leading the state for four terms between 2005 and 2023. He was re-elected to the Lok Sabha from Vidisha in 2024 and currently serves in the Union Cabinet.