Miscellaneous

Book Release: Atal Bihari Vajpayee – The Eternal Statesman

On February 21, 2026, Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan released the coffee table book Atal Bihari Vajpayee: The Eternal Statesman at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi. The book has been authored by Vijay Goel, senior BJP leader and former Union minister.

Key Highlights of the Event

  • Dignitaries Present: Governors of Bihar, Rajasthan, and Haryana, along with senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, and Union ministers including Ashwini Vaishnaw and Kiren Rijiju.
  • Vice-President’s Remarks: He described the release as both an honour and an emotional moment, calling Vajpayee “one of India’s tallest leaders”. He emphasized that the book is not just a collection of photographs but a celebration of Vajpayee’s life, poetry, oratory, and statesmanship.
  • Author’s Perspective: Vijay Goel highlighted his decades-long association with Vajpayee, sharing rare photographs and personal recollections that trace Vajpayee’s journey from a poet and parliamentarian to a Prime Minister who shaped India’s destiny.
  • Themes Covered:
    • Vajpayee’s role in Pokhran nuclear tests
    • His push for infrastructure development
    • His vision of democracy, unity, and inclusivity
    • His legacy as a poet-prime minister whose words inspired generations

Significance of the Book

  • Serves as a visual and narrative tribute to Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
  • Offers insights into his personal and political journey, blending rare photographs with anecdotes.
  • Reinforces Vajpayee’s image as a statesman, visionary, and unifying leader whose ideals continue to guide India.

Book Release – The Sage who Reimagined Hinduism by Dr. Shashi Tharoor

Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan formally released the latest book authored by Member of Parliament Dr. Shashi Tharoor, titled “The Sage who Reimagined Hinduism: The Life, Lessons and Legacy of Sree Narayana Guru.” The launch ceremony was held on February 19, 2026 at the India International Centre (IIC) in New Delhi.

About the Book

  • The biography chronicles the life and teachings of Sree Narayana Guru, the 19th-century social reformer and spiritual leader from Kerala.
  • It highlights Guru’s fight against caste discrimination and his vision of social equality, encapsulated in his famous message: “One caste, one religion, one God for mankind.”
  • Dr. Tharoor positions Narayana Guru as a thinker who reshaped Hinduism into a more inclusive and egalitarian faith, making his legacy relevant for contemporary India.

Key Highlights from the Release

  • Vice President Radhakrishnan praised the book as a bridge between generations, ensuring Guru’s philosophy reaches a global audience.
  • He noted that contributions of reformers like Narayana Guru have often been underrepresented in international academic discourse, and this work helps fill that gap.
  • The book was first unveiled at Sivagiri Mutt, the hermitage founded by Narayana Guru, before its formal release in New Delhi.

Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar Dies in Plane Crash

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died in a tragic plane crash on 28 January 2026 after a Learjet 45 (VT-SSK) crash-landed at Baramati airport. The Civil Aviation Ministry confirmed that all five people on board, including Ajit Pawar, lost their lives.

Following the incident, the Maharashtra government declared three days of state mourning, and his last rites will be held in Baramati, Pune district, with full state honours at Vidya Pratishthan ground. Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde paid their last respects and met his family.

A six-time Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar had a political career spanning nearly four decades, served as Finance Minister, presented the state budget 11 times, and played a key role in the cooperative and sports sectors, earning him a strong mass connect and the title of “Dada” in Maharashtra politics.

Book “Chalice of Ambrosia: Ram Janmabhoomi – Challenge and Response” released by Vice President

On 20 January 2026, Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan released the book “Chalice of Ambrosia: Ram Janmabhoomi – Challenge and Response” in New Delhi. Authored by Surendra Kumar Pachauri, a former Secretary to the Government of India, the book examines the historical, cultural and legal dimensions of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and presents the construction of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir as a defining civilisational moment for India.

The book highlights themes such as the civilisational significance of Lord Ram, the convergence of faith, history, law and democracy, and the role of the 2019 Supreme Court verdict in fulfilling the aspirations of millions. The Vice President, while addressing the event, underscored that Lord Ram is the soul of the nation and noted the unparalleled importance of a temple at His birthplace.

The release of the book serves as a scholarly documentation of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, offering insights into legal battles, cultural debates and democratic processes. It stands as a symbolic milestone in recording one of India’s most significant cultural and historical developments.

IGNCA Launches Book “Bharat: That Is India – Reclaiming Our Real Identity” in New Delhi

On 7 December 2025, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) launched the book “Bharat: That Is India – Reclaiming Our Real Identity” authored by Abhijeet Joag in New Delhi. The event was attended by eminent personalities including Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and IGNCA Trust President Ram Bahadur Rai.

The programme witnessed active participation from scholars, students, and cultural enthusiasts, reflecting strong interest in India’s history and cultural identity.

Book Launch – “Civil-Military Fusion as a Metric of National Power and Comprehensive Security” by Lt Gen Raj Shukla (Retd)

The book “Civil-Military Fusion as a Metric of National Power and Comprehensive Security”, authored by Lt Gen Raj Shukla (Retd), was launched on 22 October 2025 in New Delhi. It presents a strategic framework for integrating India’s military capabilities with civil institutions to strengthen national power and comprehensive security. The book highlights Civil-Military Fusion (CMF) as essential for modern warfare, emphasizing jointness, integration, and innovation across defence, governance, and technology sectors.

Launched by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the event also featured CDS Gen Anil Chauhan and Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, who praised the concept for promoting strategic synergy. Drawing lessons from Operation Sindoor, the book showcases effective joint command and preemptive defence strategies. It aligns with ongoing defence reforms like the creation of the CDS and focus on indigenous defence production, serving as a vital guide for policymakers and strategists.

CDS General Anil Chauhan’s Book “Ready, Relevant and Resurgent II: Shaping a Future Ready Force”

On 14 October 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released a book titled “Ready, Relevant and Resurgent II: Shaping a Future Ready Force”, authored by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan.

The book provides a comprehensive roadmap for preparing India’s Armed Forces for future challenges. It analyzes the changing nature of warfare, including domains like cyberspace, space-enabled operations, and cognitive warfare. Emphasizing leadership, adaptability, and technological integration, the book outlines strategies to build a resilient and modern military.

“The Emergency Diaries – Years that Forged a Leader” Launched: Focus on Modi’s Resistance to Emergency

On 25 June 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah released the book “The Emergency Diaries – Years that Forged a Leader”, which explores Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s role during the Emergency as a young RSS Pracharak.

The book is divided into five chapters and examines how the 1975–77 Emergency shaped Modi’s understanding of state power, political mobilization, and the importance of a healthy opposition.

It presents the Emergency as a critical turning point in India’s democratic journey, highlighting the threat to civil liberties and institutional independence under a centralized and dynastic rule.

The book quotes Modi’s reflections, emphasizing:

  • The spirit of democracy among Indians
  • The long struggle of pro-democracy activists during the Emergency
  • The importance of preserving constitutional rights and democratic values

It concludes that remembering the Emergency is essential as a reminder of the need to safeguard democracy and resist any erosion of constitutional freedoms.

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