AHMEDABAD: Apart from being a business tycoon who has established an empire of $650 million, Narendra Raval, 56, is also a ‘guru’ for the high and mighty of Africa. Raval, a native of Maathak in Surendranagar district , is known as an expert palmist and astrologer of Kenyan presidents and other African grandees. Raval, whose companies have business interests in various African countries, recently launched his autobiography, “Guru: A Long Walk to Success”.

He says in the book a chance meeting in Nakuru in 1983 with then-Kenyan president Daniel Arap Moi started an enduring relationship. “I shared my interest in palmistry and astrology with His Excellency after which he extended an open invitation to the State House,” Raval says in the book, slated to be launched in India soon. “Over the years, I became a political advisor …to…Presidents Hon. Moi and Hon. Kibaki before and during their tenures.” “Thanks to my proximity to President Moi, I had the privilege of being associated with many great leaders. I have successfully advised presidents of other African countries such as Tanzania and Congo,” Raval said.

He said he also counselled the heads of some European nations. He said all African countries have their own methods to see the future but his belief in Indian astrology and his accurate predictions made him popular among politicians. The autobiography’s foreword is written by Kenya ’s current President Uhuru Kenyatta .

PM Narendra Modi has also sent a message for the book. Raval got his ‘guru’ moniker due to his early days as a priest in Bhuj. He shifted to Kenya in 1982. “I’ll call it destiny. I have never charged for palmistry or astrology,” he said. “I started in a steel factory in Kenya. Back then, my wife and I dreamed of having our own shop.”

