Remembering Pranab Mukherjee On His 85th Birth Anniversary; Know Interesting Facts About The Great Indian Statesman

A decorated statesman of Indian Politics, also known as “Potlu Da” had a long and illustrious political career that spanned for more than five decades in which he assumed the role from a member of parliament to the President of India.

Photo: @virendersehwag (Twitter)

Pranab Mukharjee former President of India, was born today in 1935 in the Mirati district of Bengal Presidency during the British Raj. A decorated statesman of the Indian Politics, also known as “Potlu Da” had a long and illustrious political career that spanned for more than five decades in which he assumed the role from a member of parliament to the President of India. Pranab Mukharjee the first Bengali President of India is also known as the “Man for All Season”, Mukharjee in the Congress party served as the point person in the matter of politics as well as governance. He died on August 31, 2020, at the age of 84 following brain surgery. The former President was also tested positive for Covid-19. Pranab Mukharjee was elected twice for Lok Sabha and was a member of Rajya Sabha for five consecutive terms. He is very well known for his authority on parliamentary procedures. Here are some interesting facts about the great Indian Statesman

• Born in Bengal, Pranab Mukharjee went into active politics following his father’s legacy. His father, Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee played an active role in the Independence movement and post-independence served as a member of West Bengal Legislative Council representing Congress Party.
• Mukherjee attended Suri Vidyasagar College in Suri (Birbhum), which was then affiliated to the University of Calcutta. He subsequently earned an MA degree in political science and history and an LL.B. degree, both from the University of Calcutta
• Before entering politics, Mukherjee worked as a clerk, taught political science at Vidyanagar College as Assistant Professor and for a short time working as a journalist at Desher Dak.
• Before joining the Congress party, Pranab founded the Bangla Congress in 1967, his party was later merged with the Congress Party. He also formed and forged United Front alliance against the Congress Party.
• At the age of 34, Mukherjee became the member of Raj Sabha from Bangla Congress ticket.
• In 1972, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi brought Mukherjee into the Indian National Congress as Bangla Congress merged into the grand old party.
• Pranab Mukherjee was voted the Best Finance Minister in the World in 1984 by Euromoney magazine after he improved the finances of the government and helped pay the last instalment of India's first IMF loan.
• It was Pranab Mukherjee who appointed Dr Manmohan Singh as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India.
• Following the death of Indira Gandhi, Pranab Mukherjee founded the Rashtriya Samajwadi Congress in 1986 after being sidelined from the Congress party. The RSC merged with INC three years later.
• As a parliamentarian in the government, Mukherjee served as Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, Leader of Lok Sabha, Minister of External Affairs, Minister of Defence and Finance.
• As Minister of External Affairs, Mukherjee led the negotiations of the Indo-US nuclear deal between 2005 and 2008 and succeeded in the signing of the US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement.
• As the President of India, Mukherjee rejected seven mercy petitions which included that of Ajmal Kasab and of Afzal Guru.
• In 2008 following the Mumbai Terror attacks, Pranab Mukherjee played an active role in mobilizing the world opinion against Pakistan.
• He served as the 13^th President of India and was the first former President to attend a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) event in 2018, where he talked about the values of inclusion.
• He was awarded India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 2019, by the 14^th President of India, Ram Nath Kovind. He was awarded Padma Vibhushan in 2008.