Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday made a pointed appeal to young Indians: put down the reels and pick up a biography.
Speaking at the launch of former President Ram Nath Kovind’s autobiography, Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles, Modi urged the country’s youth to spend more time reading about the struggles and journeys of others rather than scrolling through short-form content. Describing the present moment as the “era of reels,” he cautioned that instant gratification comes at a cost, telling the audience that a “shortcut will cut you short.”
Autobiographies, Modi said, offer something reels cannot: a full, honest account of the setbacks, sacrifices and persistence that go into a person’s rise. He held up Kovind’s own life as the clearest example. From humble beginnings to becoming President of India, Kovind’s trajectory, Modi said, was a testament to how sheer determination can help someone overcome hardship and eventually reach the highest constitutional office in the country.
The Prime Minister framed the book itself as more than a personal memoir, describing it as a chronicle relevant to anyone hoping to understand how conviction and hard work can shape a life against the odds. He suggested that young readers, in particular, stood to gain from engaging with such first-hand accounts of struggle rather than consuming fragmented, fast-paced content that rarely captures the full arc of a person’s journey.
Modi’s remarks came as part of a broader message about attention spans and instant consumption in the digital age. His comment on reels reflected a recurring theme in his public addresses, cautioning against the lure of quick, effortless success in favour of sustained effort and patience. By invoking Kovind’s own path to the presidency, he sought to underline that genuine achievement is built over years of struggle, not shortcuts.
The event marked a significant moment for Kovind, who served as India’s 14th President from 2017 to 2022. His autobiography traces his personal and political journey, offering readers an account of the challenges he navigated en route to the country’s top constitutional post.
Modi’s appearance at the launch, and his direct message to the country’s youth, is likely to draw attention to the book in the days ahead, as readers weigh in on Kovind’s own account of triumph amid struggle, and Modi’s broader appeal for young Indians to slow down and read deeply.