While reading the foreword and then the inner jacket covers of this biography by Yogendra Bali, I was daunted in my task. For I was writing a review of a book on a person I did not know. What was more daunting was the fact that the subject was of a political practitioner, the present Chief Minister of the State of Sikkim, Pawan Chamling.

The title intrigued me, because it encapsulated two qualities that essentially epitomise not only just a political leader, but a good person: daring (courageous) and different (tolerance to another’s point of view); and daring to be different (having the courage of one’s convictions). I was curious to read on, and I was not disappointed in the variety of the 26 chapters. Chamling is described as a person who evolved into the persona he now is. From a humble beginning of farming to a representative democratic leader, to a messiah of the poor, to a revolutionary and a visionary trying to bring Sikkim ahead into the 21st century. I would agree with the writer that Chamling is primarily an astute politician, a sojourner on the democratic road to developing a peaceful Sikkim. And, an important aspect of Chamling’s approach in his political career was discovering one’s ‘grassroots identity’. Chamling’s approach of ‘strengthening the true identities of men and women who formed the ethnic and social bricks of a nation were important.’ No community or country can be developed without the continuous support of the masses, particularly the poor and the less privileged and women and children. Hence, poverty alleviation and women’s empowerment are two priority areas for Chamling and his government.

His experimental approach of governance follows a very solid pragmatic policy-making. His approach is to ‘weed out corruption from its very roots.’ With his background in cooperatives, his stress on collaborative participation is the process most needed in achieving the best for his people.

One can read the book sequentially and episodically and thus visualise a multi-faceted personality. He is down-to-earth, hard-working, optimistic, not afraid of change, honest enough to admit his faults, encouraging constructive opposition in politics.