Narendra Damodardas Modi No More Apologist

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Preface How the chain of events, when they transpire, appear pedestrian, a mundane, transactional event, yet when the outcome of the same results in the actualisation of something special, later, we, albeit with the benefits of hindsight, marvel at those chain of events of the past with an ejaculatory sense of utter disbelief on crystallisation of the outcome which we had even failed to perceive.

In the year 2,000, the dawn of a new millennium, I had visited the International Book Fair in Delhi. Unequivocally though, among the mountains of books being showcased by the publishers, my gaze, rather uncannily, invariably settled on the one book which, much like Swami Vivekananda in the World Parliament of Religions, way back in 1893, where Swami appeared to tower above all, 'Autobiography of a Yogi' had mesmerizingly caught my attention: The brilliance of the Cover Page, showcasing the unique resplendence, beckoned me towards itself with its intrinsic charm.

Whereas others so far as my eyes roved around - had bought loads of books, I was divinely content buying the solitary book and, much like Hamid, in the famous story of 'Idgah' of Munsi Premchand, who felt inordinately proud in marshalling the most humble and inconsequential toy as some form of elixir which had seduced all his friends, despite his friends buying the best of toys, I too, blissfully though, sought to showcase my prized possession as the most coveted one among the best of books purchased by book lovers on that late evening. But then, hardly I knew, that by settling my attention only on Autobiography of a Yogi, had a providential decree, a divine wish which would result in another creation, decades hence.

Reading Autobiography of a Yogi, over and over again, I was overwhelmed with joy unspeakable. In fact, reading it, I had wondered, alas, I too, could sculpt another aesthetic book of the corresponding degree of depth and gravity. And this invocation was seldom the product of an adolescent fancy. I had earnestly sought the blessings of Maha Avatar Babajee, Sri Yukteshwar Giri, Gurudeva Parmahansa Yogananda. Lo and behold! deeper into the state of meditation, an idea like a thunderbolt struck me: Maha Avatar Babajee, an immortal Yogi, the divinity self-mani- fest on earth, who has been living for the last 5,000 years, had blessed Sri Narendra Damodardas Modi when he had wandered into the Himalaya in his childhood days.

In fact, Maha Avatar Babajee had chosen Narendra Modi as his representative to catapult the Sanatan Civilisation to its exalted glory. Small wonder then, Maha Avatar Babajee stands behind Sri Narendra Modi behind all his moves. Significantly, as Parmahansa Yogananda was chosen by Maha Avatar Babajee, to spread Kriya Yoga in the Western World, Sri Narendra Modi has been chosen to reform Indian politics and engender the rise of Sanatan glory across the world.

Significantly, the book Narendra Damodardas Modi: No More Apologist, delves deeper into the rise of Sri Modi from his tea vendor days into becoming a world leader. The book is a unique blend of Spirituality, Politics, Religion and Culture. Little won- der then, it is the fervent wish of Maha Avatar Babajee which Sri Modi is fulfilling with the sense of aplomb, this is the faith and strong belief of the author behind writing this book.

Unequivocally, the process of decolonisation which Narendra Modi had started with a bang has the valid sanction and the blessings of Maha Avatar Babajee. The book presents a vivid account of political and spiritual steps which Modijee has initiated, that are a significant break from India's inglorious colonial past. This transformation of the nation from being an Apologist to that of a 'No More Apologist' - a journey which my book Narendra Damodardas Modi: No More Apologist, encompasses. Unequivocally, with the blessings of Maha Avatar Babajee, I am gung-ho about this book resonating with global readers.

Foreword AMONG the various criticisms levelled against Hindu civilisation is the charge of lacking a sense of history. The Arab traveller Alberuni made this observation in the 10th century and since. then the charge has been repeated across the ages, not least by Western scholars and many of their Indian followers.

It was said that Hindus, with their preoccupation with yug were casual with the very idea of chronology, the very basis on which modern historiography is constructed. Secondly, the writ ten tradition of documenting the past was relatively alien to the Hindus, Kalhana's Rajatarangini being an exception. Of course, many of the written accounts of secular life perished at the hands of successive waves of invaders whose respect for inherited knowledge systems was feeble. Finally, it was believed that Hindus were inclined to obliterate the crucial distinction between history ('scientific' or otherwise) and mythology. This charge was forcefully made by 'secular' historians while debunking the claims of a pre-existing temple honouring Lord Rama in Ayodhya.

It is only in recent decades, coinciding with the development of Hindu self-confidence, that scholars have tried to grasp difference between history and what is known in common par- the lance as Ithihasa. It is now being understood that the oral tradition, which incorporates localised folklore and ballads passed down through the ages, is rich in historical detail. Historians have also gleamed rich details of the past from poetry which, rather than court chronicles, incorporated a narrative of the past. Moreover, the narrative of Ithihasa was often replete with what scholars would call anachronism. It also incorporated facets of mystical experiences of sages.

Constructing an Ithihasa of Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi with a narrative that is sharply at odds with the conventional tradition of biography writing is a daunting experience. Vivekananda Jha has taken up this challenge and produced a work that incorporates all these facets. He incorporates all the political arguments that have dominated the political career of Modi through conversations involving representative characters. He has also not shied away from incorporating spiritual and mystical influences on Modi, additions that will undoubtedly invite 'scholarly' opprobrium.

I find the book interesting because its narrative style is unique, at least as far as writings in English are concerned. I am not a student of literature to judge its proximity to what is called magic realism, but it certainly corresponds to traditional Indian ways of telling a tale.

**Contents and Sample Pages**