Shivraj Recalls When Modi Asked: “Who Has an Email ID?”
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan releasing his book Apnapan My Experiences With Narendra Modi's early focus on technology. (Image X.com)
By AMIT KUMAR
“I still remember seeing him with a muffler around his ears, continuously working on a computer,” Chouhan said, adding that Modi had already understood the importance of technology for India’s future development.
New Delhi, May 26, 2026 — Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday shared a nostalgic anecdote about Prime Minister Narendra Modi introducing technology within the BJP organisation during the early years, recalling how the idea of email IDs was once unfamiliar to many party workers.
Chouhan made the remarks while releasing his book “Apnapan: My Experiences With Narendra Modi”, which reflects on his political journey and personal experiences with the Prime Minister.
Recounting an episode from the period when Modi was BJP in-charge for Madhya Pradesh, Chouhan said party workers traditionally functioned through conventional methods and technology adoption was limited.
“As BJP workers, we worked in a traditional way. At that time, even using mobile phones was often viewed differently and associated with a ‘five-star culture’ mindset,” Chouhan said.
He recalled a meeting held to prepare for elections when Modi, then known as “Narendra Bhai” among party colleagues, asked attendees a simple question: who among them had an email ID.
According to Chouhan, the room fell silent because email was largely unfamiliar to many leaders and workers at the time. He narrated that late BJP leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Babulal Gaur humorously responded by asking, “What is this ‘female-email’ you are talking about? What will happen with this email?” drawing laughter in the room.
However, Chouhan said the moment later reflected Modi’s forward-looking approach toward technology and governance.
The Union Minister recalled visiting Modi frequently when he stayed in Madhya Pradesh during organisational assignments. “I still remember seeing him with a muffler around his ears, continuously working on a computer,” Chouhan said, adding that Modi had already understood the importance of technology for India’s future development.
“He knew that if India’s destiny had to be transformed and a developed India built, technology would play a critical role,” Chouhan added.
The book release comes amid the BJP’s continued emphasis on digital governance, technological adoption and the “Viksit Bharat” vision championed by the Prime Minister.
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