I just finished reading Mrs Margaret Alva's autobiography "Courage and Commitment" . As one of the youngest MPs at the age of 32, and a Minister of State in Rajiv's Cabinet at 42 years. Margaret Alva is among India's longest serving parliamentarians. After reading the book I realised that Alva has been associated with Indian parliament for more than half a century.  It is a well written  honest autobiography, while the author seems to be no-nonsense, straight forward politician who really wants to do good to the people. You would realise ,after reading it that she had come up hard way and has the distinction of working very closely with at least two Prime Ministers, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. The ringside view of the experiences is the highlight of this book. In fact she has worked with four Prime Ministers, the other two are Late Narasimha Rao and also Manmohan Singh. You will see her honest accounting, wins and losses, humiliations being in and out of congress etc. But at many places you will find that she describes about various conferences she has attended and places she visited, which were little bit boring and drab but overall this book is very interesting.  I would recommend that one should read it to know many internal issues one would face at that level. One would see that over the years she was a witness to several events that have played an important part in politics - the Emergency, Mrs Gandhi's Chikmangalur election, Narasimha Rao's liberalisation, Sonia's entry into politics including Manmohan Singh 's tenure as PM of India for two terms. 

While reading the book you will notice few very interesting  things, Mrs Alva had highest regard for Indira and Rajiv . With regards to Narasimha Rao she says that despite heading minority's govt., that is rattled with scams, and scheming leaders, PV was the first non-Nehru-Gandhi PM who had lasted for a full term. But Congress sidelined him and humiliated him but she says she learnt many lessons from him and she had great respect and admiration for his leadership.  And further she says she is sure history will judge him. She is very honest in telling that though she had helped him through emergencies, and managed members in both houses during most tumultuous sessions, he didn't reward her for work reason as he felt that she was a Sonia loyalist. Therefore the Courage and Commitment is story of a simple life made remarkable .