"Saugandh mujhe is mitti ki mai, desh nahi mitne dunga,"
The vibes of these lines hit differently in 2014 when the nation faced dense corruption from the contemporary UPA 2 government. Then arose a figure, a tea seller, who shook the entire country with his speeches, instilling belief in my generation that politics isn't a bad subject; it can be fascinating if it includes leaders like Narendra Modi. But after ten long years, did Narendra Modi truly fulfill the requirements of Indians?
A book I found helpful, which can provide insights to answer these questions, is "Modi Chunauti 2024 Ki" (MODI: The Challenge of 2024) by author Minhaz Merchant.
Initially, Merchant clearly states that this book is not a biography of Narendra Modi. However, Minhaz was the first person approached to write Modi's biography by Narendra Modi, but he declined and suggested Andy Marino instead. "Narendra Modi: A Political Biography" became a bestseller shortly after its launch. Minhaz's book analyzes Modi's journey from becoming the Prime Minister candidate of the BJP to organizing the G20 in Delhi.
Why Minhaz Merchant is the best choice to write this book
The first thing that comes to mind is that Minhaz Merchant is followed by Narendra Modi on Twitter (now X). Still, Minhaz does not follow him back, maintaining a certain distance from politicians to preserve his vision as a journalist. He has also written biographies of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and late industrialist Aditya Birla. In the current scenario, where neutral news is hard to come by, as journalists openly display their ideologies, Minhaz Merchant is a good choice for readers to obtain neutral and accurate facts. He was also the founder of Sterling Newspapers Ltd (now acquired by Indian Express). His works offer a blend of authorship and journalism.
Analysis of "Modi: The Challenge of 2024"
This 337-page book is divided into 10 chapters with 31 subchapters, each addressing a significant aspect of understanding the 2024 general election game. Out of the 31 subchapters, only 7 focus directly on Modi; the rest are dedicated to his work in 10-year terms, geopolitics, employment, secularism, opposition, Pakistan, Britain, and others. One aspect I appreciate is Minhaz Merchant's strong disproof to foreign journalists who consistently criticize India, providing a fitting reply to Western and White ideologies.
My favorite line from page 208 is:
"USA ka janm hi dusro ki zameen par akraman karke hua hai, isliye dusro ki jameen par aakraman karna iski mool prakrati ka hissa hai."
(The birth of the USA itself happened by invading others' lands, so invading others' lands is intrinsic to its nature)
However, some aspects disappointed me about our historical mistakes, such as the revelation that the USA offered nuclear weapons technology in 1961, which the contemporary government declined to accept, leading to China's advantage in the 1962 war and the occupation of Aksai Chin.
Three lessons from this book
The Biggest Mistake of Indian Channels:
Why do Indian media invite spokespersons from the Pakistani army for debates? Minhaz Merchant rightly suggests that Indian media should invite Afghans, leaders of the Baluchistan Liberation Movement, and "Anti-Pakistani" Bangladeshi journalists instead. It remains puzzling why Indian media has not taken steps in this direction or done so with minimal efficacy.
The Biggest Weakness of Narendra Modi
Minhaz Merchant writes that a good leader should surround himself with wiser individuals, which Narendra Modi has failed to do.
Nehru's Final Confession:
On page 123, just days before he died in 1964, Nehru confessed that his biggest mistake as Prime Minister was his failure to change the administration, which remained colonial, hindering India's progress in poverty alleviation.
Audience Recommendation for this Book
Those with a background in the arts or aspiring for government exams should consider this book a top priority. It provides valuable insights into India's current political scenario and its past. Beginners from different backgrounds, less connected to politics, may find it challenging initially, but reading it will prove beneficial.
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