My Take, Rashtra Sarvopari, and Drishtikon, by LK Advani released
“Whatever Advaniji speaks or writes is pramanik and the national interest is always above everything for him. There are very few political leaders in the country like Advaniji, who follow extraordinary transparency in their life,” said RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat, while releasing three books based on the blogs of octogenarian BJP leader Shri LK Advani in New Delhi on December 17. The three books—My Take, Rashtra Sarvopari, and Drishtikon have been published by Prabhat Prakashan, New Delhi. My Take is in English, while Rashtra Sarvopari and Drishtikon are in Hindi.
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Smt Sushma Swaraj were also present on the occasion. The dignitaries present on the occasion included RSS Sarkaryavah Shri Bhaiyaji Joshi, Nitin Gadkari, Shri Jaswant Singh, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan, former Union Minister Arun Shourie and scores of distinguished people.
Shri Bhagwat equated Shri Advani with a person ‘who walks the talk’. “There are several people in the world who can write well. But it is an experience in itself to meet somebody who lives by what he writes. The words in Advani's books are backed by the journey of his life,” he said. “I may be the Sarsanghchalak, but Advaniji is too elder to me,” Mohanji said adding that Advaniji was an inspiration for all the leaders.
Shri Advani confessed his love for the books. “I have worked as per my conscience and my inner voice even though at times I have had to hear criticism from my opponents as well as from my own people,” he said. The 86-year-old former deputy PM credited his frugal eating habits and clean conscience for his excellent health. “A person should consider oneself old if he or she says I cannot learn at this age,” Advaniji said.
Shri Advan exhorted the audience saying, “Hear your inner voice, eat less and never think you are old to find meaning in life. These are the three lessons I have learnt from life. Stating he found both meaning and happiness in life, he said.
Smt Sushma Swaraj said she was amazed at the regularity and the range of topics covered in Advani’s blogs. “We never thought he would write regularly. We are left wondering over the wide range of topics he has written about,” she said while urging the gathering to gain from the wisdom in Advani’s three books. In a lighter vein, she pointed out that sometimes Advaniji was critical of party leaders in his blogs but she always takes it as an advice from the party veteran.
“Our adversaries may be happy over the criticism but he (Advani) has a right to criticise and scold us for our mistakes,” she said. “After the loss in Karnataka elections he wrote about the lessons the party has learnt from it…He has a right to reprimand us. We take it as a blessing.” As Sushmaji went on to praise, Advaniji was seen wiping tears. The RSS chief also added that Advaniji “scolds not due to anger but out of concern”.
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev also heaped praise on Advaniji for his long career in politics. He said Advaniji is the leader who has dedicated his life for transparency in public life. That is why he is an inspiration for the present politicians.
