UAE-based artist's work featured in Narendra Modi's new book

His 11 illustrations are part of the book Mann Ki Baat

UAE-based Indian artist, Akbar Saheb has gained the distinction of being the only artist whose illustrations feature in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's book, Mann Ki Baat.
The book, which discusses the making and evolution of PM Modi's radio broadcasting show Mann ki Baat  (Heart's Voice), was unveiled today at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Delhi, in the presence of President Pranab Mukherjee. 
In all, 11 of Akbar Saheb's illustrations on various themes have been published in the book, including the cover illustration. The book will be widely circulated within the urban and rural Indian community in English and Hindi, and will soon be released in all regional languages and foreign languages in unlimited editions. 
A big fan of Narendra Modi, Akbar Saheb had earlier painted a series of 12 paintings themed on his achievements over 12 years, which were also exhibited in Baroda, India, in early 2015. The 54-year-old artist, originally from Mangalore, Karnataka, has been in Dubai for the past 22 years and is a well-respected prolific painter. 
"This is a huge honour for me and I can never thank Prime Minister Modi enough for singling me out of thousands of local and expat Indian artists to contribute to a project so close to his heart. I feel extremely fortunate to be a part of the book Mann ki Baat, which, as a radio programme has been a social revolution, giving voice to thousands of Indians," said Akbar Saheb, who attended the book launch ceremony today. 
"I have been reading about PM Modi for the past 15 years and met him in August 2015, when he was visiting the UAE.  He left an incredible impression on my mind as a people's person. I'm humbled that he remembered me and I am mentioned as his well-wisher in the book."
Describing the illustrations, Akbar Saheb added: "The artwork is a reflection of PM Modi's speeches. I have tried to create a thought process so that when readers look at the pictures they can immediately connect it with the related speech. While reading through the speeches, I used to select phrases that inspired me and drew rough sketches in the margin which were later converted to full-fledged illustrations. The entire project was kept under wraps, until it was unveiled today". 
Art being his passion and profession, Akbar Saheb is a full-time artist, and has more than 1000 paintings to his credit. He has also exhibited a series of paintings paying tribute to the rulers of the UAE, including UAE's founding father, late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. 

• India