KOCHI, April 27: My Country, My Life, the autobiography of Shri L.K. Advani was introduced in Kerala at an impressive function held here today. Among the dignitaries who graced the event and praised the book was ‘Bharat’ Mammootty, a superstar of Malayalam cinema, who described it as a "statesman's biography" that reflects the country's history and political scenario. The actor, who canceled the shooting schedule for a film to participate in the function, received a copy of the book from Shri Advani.

Mammootty especially appreciated Shri Advaniji’s sincere efforts to promote peaceful and good-neighbourly relations with Pakistan, making a special mention of the latter’s advocacy of formation of a Confederation between India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. “India is spending a large part of its budget for military purposes, mainly due to indo-Pak clashes. If relations between the two countries improve, the same resources can be utilized for the welfare of the people of our two countries. India will not be free economically, until then; we are independent only politically," Mammootty observed.

Mammootty concluded his brief speech by wishing Shri Advaniji all the best for his future endeavours and saying, “I hope he gets an opportunity to realize his vision.”

The function was presided over by Shri P. Parameshwaran Director of Bharathiya Vicharakendram and President of Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Kanyakumari. He spoke at length introducing the salient features of the book to a packed audience in a city hotel.

Others who spoke at the function included Kerala’s former revenue minister and leader of the Kerala Congress, Shri K.M. Mani; former Union minister and senior BJP leader Shri O. Rajagopal; Dr. K. Soman, President, SNDP Yogam; Justice (Retd) K.P. Radhakrishna Menon; and Justice (Retd) Pareed Pillai.

Thanking the audience for its enthusiastic response, Shri Advaniji said his memoirs were not about the past but about India’s present and future. “It is also less about my life and more about the development of India,” he said. “The ideological family to which I belong has been instrumental in shaping India. India has come to be respected and recognised globally. A time will come when the world will accept that the 21st century belongs to India. And this is what I have tried to convey through his book.”

Shri Advaniji remarked that he had always firmly believed that India had “limitless” resources and capabilities to realize its full potential. By utilising modern technology, and relying on our cultural and spiritual heritage, a healthy, strong, prosperous and enlightened India can be built, he affirmed.

"I have no doubt that this is feasible. The potential is immense. The younger generation in India has far better IQ than we have. The exposure they are getting is much more than during our time," he said. However, he also added that the younger generation lacks emotional quotient, which comes from maturity, he said adding, spiritual quotient and moral quotient are also necessary to build India of our dreams.