On April 27, the grandiose and glittering Gokulam Park Hotel in Kochi was the venue for the official launch of My Country My Life in Kerala. The cream of and elite of Kerala'ssociety comprising film personalities, professionals, judges, social and business heavy-weights graced the grand function.
Delivering the presidential address Shri P. Parameswaran, director, Bharatiya Vichara Kendram, said Shri Advani is the best disciple of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya who combined spiritualism and statesmanship with politics. He said communists, who practise political untouchability which is worse than social untouchability, are hypocrites. ?Even though the CPM ministry led by Comrade E.M.S. refused to issue rations for the Bharatiya Jan Sangh National Meet in Kozhikode in 1967, Shri Advani'sfirst official function after taking charge as Home Minister in 1998 was to attend the funeral of BJP'spolitical adversary E.M.S. in Thiruvananthapuram. The RSS and BJP don'tpractise politics of vengence. RSS and BJP are for common agenda on national issues. It is really surprising how a busy practising politician could write such a huge book in between his political activities, travels and active role in Parliament. The book also showcases Shri Advani'sspecial love for Kerala and Sree Narayana Guru since several references have been made?, Shri Parameswaran said.
Malayalam super star and National Award winner (for portraying as B.R Ambedkar) Mammootty who spoke after receiving a copy of the book from Shri Advani said he endorsed his view of a confederation between India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, thereby substantially bringing down the defence expenditure. ?The book reflects the life till today of a great statesman which truly reflects free India'sprogress. I request Shri Advani to strive for social and economic development of the nation, along with political freedom, as socialism is still a dream?, Mammootty said.
Veteran politician and former Minister K.M. Mani of Kerala Congress said, the book highlights Shri Advani'sview to think of the present and future without forgetting the past. ?Shri Advani is a true nationalist and I felt proud when I got the V.P. Menon award from him, when he was Deputy Prime Minister. The rath yatras and Karachi speech showcased his broad national outlook. His taking strong positions and strong decisions, reflects the ?Iron Man? in him,? Shri Mani concluded.
Justice Radhakrishna Menon, Justice Pareed Pillai, Chamber of Commerce President E.S. Jos etc offered felicitations.
Replying to the felicitations, Shri L.K. Advani said he had delicacy in using the word ?I? in the book. ?In my Organiser days, I had great difficulty in making Deendayal Upadhyaya write his experiences since he had great reluctance in using the word I. When this book was handed over to former Vice-President Shri Bhairon Singh Shekawat, he said, ?You have written a Mahabharat.? The book which showcases five phases in my life would not have come out without the support of my wife Kamla and my daughter Pratibha. I have a sense of fulfillment since it is a visit to the past which guides you to the future. Silly comments and finding minor faults make me unhappy. You disagree with it, but at least appreciate the good points and efforts. It is less about me and more about development of politics in India. Just like we cannot worship Ganga, if we pollute her, internal and external cleaning is necessary for the nation. The party and the RSS to which I belong, have strived for this for more than eight decades. I am confident that with our natural resources, spiritual background and developments in science and technology, we can build a strong, prosperous and enlightened Bharat which has not only IQ but also spiritual and moral quotient. The 21st century belongs to Bharat?, Shri Advani opined.
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