Narendra Modi is well known as a charismatic politician and a successful Chief Minister of Gujarat but very few people know that he is also a writer. Written when Narendra Modi was a youth, the stories in this book reveal a hitherto unknown, sensitive and literary facet of his personality.

These stories were written during 1975 - 1977 when Emergency was imposed in the country. Rashtriya Sevak Sangh, the organization for which Narendra Modi worked, was banned and he had to go underground. Those long periods of forced isolation and living incognito turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as Narendra Modi says, "Till then the only writing I had done was on the answer sheets during exams. But when I was charged with the responsibility of preparing pamphlets and posters for the mission, perforce, I had to write and gradually writing became a habit. And I discovered the power and might of the humble pen."

The stories in this book are centered around the theme of love. It is Narendra Modi's belief that a mother's love is the source of all love and the different kinds of love we experience in our life are reflections and shades of a mother's love.

Abode of Love is the English translation of the stories originally written in Gujarati. A critique of each story by an eminent Gujarati writer enhances the value of this collection.

I have something to tell you...

As I step into the world of literature lovers

with this small collection of short stories,

`Abode of Love' I have something to tell you...

These stories have emerged over the years

written on separate occasions and in different surroundings

Whether or not 'Abode of Love' will stand the

scrutiny of being a work of literature

I do not know

But surely 'Abode of Love' does have

the fragrance and beauty of relationships

the ring of integrity and truth

melancholy contrasting with the flavours

of blooming emotions and mirth

The unadulterated endless flow

of a mother's affection

just like the hidden river Saraswati

...the feelings...the intangibles...

This collection of stories is bound

with a common thread of experience

which affirms it

I dare not have the delusion of ranking myself

a litterateur just because my work is

being written or printed

I have not been so fortunate to have an endless

literary flow of words in my being

But befriend words like a seasonal stream

that spouts during the monsoon

I dedicate this humbly

at the lotus feet of Goddess Saraswati.

These scattered words are being compiled

after much loving prodding by friends

Mr. Gunvant Shah has shed light on

the thought processes involved in 'Abode of Love'

He has done this in spite of time constraints

I am grateful to him for this

Pravin Prakashan Pvt. Ltd. and Mr. Gopalbhai

too need to be commended

**Contents and Sample Pages**