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• What role did the Indian National Congress play in the Indian independence movement?
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Pranab Mukherjee

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• Official Site of Pranab Mukherjee Foundation
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• President of India - Pranab Mukherjee

When was Pranab Mukherjee elected the president of India?

Pranab Mukherjee was elected the president of India in 2012. He served as president of India from 2012 to 2017.

Where was Pranab Mukherjee born?

Pranab Mukherjee was born in Mirati, Bengal (now in West Bengal), India, on December 11, 1935.

When did Pranab Mukherjee receive the Bharat Ratna?

In 2019 Pranab Mukherjee was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor.

When did Pranab Mukherjee die?

Pranab Mukherjee died on August 31, 2020, in Delhi. He died after brain surgery left him in a coma and after suffering from septic shock due to a lung infection.

Pranab Mukherjee (born December 11, 1935, Mirati, Bengal [now in West Bengal], India—died August 31, 2020, Delhi) was an Indian politician and government official who served as president of India (2012–17). He succeeded Pratibha Patil (served 2007–12), India’s first woman president.

Mukherjee’s father, Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee, was deeply involved in India’s struggle for independence from Great Britain in the first half of the 20th century. A longtime member of the Indian National Congress (Congress Party), the elder Mukherjee spent several years in prison as a result of his activities opposing British rule and, after Indian independence, held a seat in the state legislature of West Bengal (1952–64). Pranab was educated at the Suri Vidyasagar College (then affiliated with the University of Calcutta ), and he later earned an advanced degree in history and political science as well as a law degree from the university. In 1963 he accepted a teaching position at a small college near Calcutta (now Kolkata ) that was associated with the university. He also became editor of a Bengali-language monthly periodical and, later, worked for a weekly publication.

Mukherjee first ran for public office in 1969, when he won a seat in the Rajya Sabha (upper house) of the Indian parliament as a member of the Bangla Congress, which soon merged with the Congress Party. He served an additional four terms, although he left that chamber in 2004 and contested and won a seat in the Lok Sabha (lower house). He served there until mid-2012, when he ran for president of India .

Early on in his career in the legislature, Mukherjee became a protégé of Indira Gandhi , prime minister of India in 1966–77 and 1980–84. Under her tutelage, he began in 1973 to fill administrative positions of increasing responsibility in the cabinet, and in 1982 he was named to the important post of minister of finance. Following the assassination of Gandhi in 1984, however, Mukherjee had a falling out with Rajiv Gandhi , her son and successor (1984–89) as prime minister , and was relegated to the political backwater. He subsequently left the Congress Party in 1986 and by early 1987 had formed his own small political party . By 1989, however, the two men had been reconciled , and Mukherjee had merged his group back into Congress.

(Read Indira Gandhi’s 1975 Britannica essay on global underprivilege.)

Mukherjee’s fortunes improved in 1991 when, after Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated, P.V. Narasimha Rao took leadership of Congress and, after the party’s success in parliamentary elections, was named prime minister. Under Rao (who served until 1996) and the party’s Manmohan Singh (who became prime minister in 2004), Mukherjee held most of the major ministerial portfolios in the cabinet: commerce (1993–95), external affairs (1995–96 and 2006–09), defense (2004–06), and finally back to finance (2009–12). He also occupied several important legislative posts, including leader of the Rajya Sabha (1980–84), Congress Party whip in the upper house (1996–2004), and leader of the Lok Sabha (2004–12). In addition to his government activities in India, Mukherjee was involved with a number of prominent international organizations, most notably occupying seats on the boards of governors of the African Development Bank , the Asian Development Bank , the International Monetary Fund , and the World Bank during his two stints as finance minister.

In June 2012 the Congress Party chose Mukherjee as its candidate for the Indian presidency. Because the office is nonpartisan, he resigned from the Lok Sabha (also relinquishing the Finance Ministry) and the party. He easily won the July 19 election and was sworn into office six days later. The presidency is viewed as a largely ceremonial post. However, observers noted that Mukherjee, with his decades of experience in government and politics, was more engaged in governance than most of his predecessors . In 2017 Mukherjee’s term as president ended, and he was succeeded by Ram Nath Kovind . He died in August 2020 after brain surgery left him in a coma and after suffering from septic shock due to a lung infection.

Mukherjee was the author of several books, including Beyond Survival: Emerging Dimensions of Indian Economy (1984) and Challenges Before the Nation (1993). In 2019 he was awarded the Bharat Ratna , India’s highest civilian honour.

Pranab Mukherjee Biography

About Pranab Mukherjee

Personal background of pranab mukherjee.

Professional background before entering politics

How did pranab mukherjee enter politics, political journey of pranab mukherjee.

• In July1969 he was elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha.
• From February 1973 to January 1974 he was the Union Deputy Minister for Industrial Development.
• From January 1974 to October 1974 he was the Union Deputy Minister for Shipping & Transport.
• From October 1974 to December 1975 he was the Union Minister of state for Finance.
• In July 1975 he was elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha for the second time.
• From December 1975 to March 1977 he was the Union Minister of State for Revenue and Banking (Independent Charge).
• From 1978 to 1980 he represented the Congress party as the Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha.
• From 27 January 1978 to 18 January 1986, and again from 10 August 1997 to 25 June 2012, he remained a member of the Congress Working Committee.
• From 1978 to 1979 he was the Treasurer of the All India Congress Committee and also Treasurer of Congress (I) in the Parliament.
• From 1978 to 1986 he was the Central Parliamentary Board’s member of the AICC.
• From January 1980 to January 1982 he was the Union Minister of Steel & Mines and Commerce
• Leader of the House of the Rajya Sabha
• Member of Committee on Privileges in the Rajya Sabha
• Business Advisory Committee Member
• Member of the Committee on Rules in the Rajya Sabha
• In August 1981 he was elected as member of Rajya Sabha for the third time.
• From January 1982 to December 1984 he was in additional charge of the Commerce & Supply Ministry.
• During 1984, 1991, 1996, 1998 and 1999 he was the Chairman of the Campaign Committee of the AICC for administering National Elections to Parliament.
• In 1985 and during August 2000 to June 2010 he was the President of Pradesh Congress Committee in West Bengal.
• From 1987 to 1989 he was the Chairman of AICC’s Economic Advisory Cell.
• From June 1991 to May 1996 he was the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission.
• From 1993 to February 1995 he was the Union Cabinet Minister of Commerce.
• In 1993 he was elected to the Rajya Sabha for the fourth time.
• From February 1995 to May 1996 he was the Union Cabinet Minister of External Affairs.
• From 1996 to 2004 he was the Chief Whip of the Indian National Congress in the Rajya Sabha.
• From 1996 to 1999 he was the Member of the Consultative Committee on External Affairs.
• In 1997 he was the Departmentally related Parliamentary Standing Committee’s Chairman on Environment & Forest and on Science & Technology.
• In 1999 he was re-elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha for the fifth term.
• On 28 June 1999 he was the Chairman of AICC’s Central Election Coordination Committee.
• From 1998 to 1999 he was the General Secretary of the AICC.
• From June 1998 to May 2004 he was the Departmentally related Parliamentary Standing Committee’s Chairman on Home Affairs.
• From 12 December 2001 to 25 June 2012 he was the Central Election Committee’s member.
• On 13 May he was elected as a member of the 14th Lok Sabha.
• From 23 May 2004 to 24 October 2006, he was the Union Cabinet Minister of Defense.
• From June 2004 to June 2012, he was the Leader of the House of the Lok Sabha.
• From 25 October 2006 to 23 May 2009, he was the Union Cabinet Minister of External Affairs.
• From 24 January 2009 to May 2009 he was the Union Cabinet Minister of Finance.
• On 20 May 2009 he was elected as a member of the 15th Lok Sabha for the second time.
• From 2009 to 26 June 2012 he was the Union Cabinet Minister of Finance.
• On 25 June he resigned from the Indian National Congress party, before contesting for the office of the President of India.
• The International Monetary Fund from 1982 to 1985 and from 2009 to 2012
• The World Bank from 1982 to 1985 and from 2009 to 2012
• The Asian Development Bank from 1982 to 1985 and from 2009 to 2012
• The African Development Bank from 1982 to 1985 and from 2009 to  2012
• Group of 24 nations in IMF and World Bank in 1984 and from 2011 to 2012
• South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in May 1995 and in November 1995
• He was the President of the Nikhil Bharat Banga Sahitya Sammelan from 1995 to 2001 and from 2004 to June 2012 and also of the Rabindra Bharati Society.
• Council of Indian Statistical Institute from 2006  to 20 June 2012.
• Planning Board of the Asiatic Society in Kolkata from 1984 to 1986, from 1992 to 1996 and from 2004 to 2012
• Bangiya Sahitya Parishad from 1984 to 1990
• Bidhan Memorial Trust at Kolkata from 1998 to June 2012

Awards and Honours received by Pranab Mukherjee

• Rated as Best Finance Minister of the World in 1984 by the Euromoney magazine.
• In 1997 he was honoured with the Best Parliamentarian Award.
• In 2008 he was honoured with second-highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan, by the Government of India.
• Emerging Markets, the London-based news daily of record for the IMF and the World Bank awarded him in 2010 as Finance Minister of the Year for Asia.
• The Banker in 2010 mentioned him as the Finance Minister of the Year.
• In 2011 the University of Wolverhampton honoured him with Doctor of Letters degree.
• In March 2012 the Visvesvaraya Technological University and the Assam University conferred him with honorary D.Litt. award.
• On 4 March 2013 at the University of Dhaka, he received the  honorary doctorate of law by Mohammad Zillur Rahman, the President of Bangladesh and also the DU Chancellor.
• On 5 March 2013, he received the second highest award of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Muktijuddho Sanmanona (Liberation War Award).
• On 13 March 2013, the University of Mauritius bestowed on him the Doctor of Civil Law Honoris Causa.

Books written by Pranab Mukherjee

• Mid-Term Poll in the year 1969
• Beyond Survival - Emerging Dimensions of Indian Economy in the year 1984
• Off the Track in the year 1987
• Challenges Before the Nation in the year 1992
• Saga of Struggle and Sacrifice in the year 1992

Pranab Mukherjee Wiki, Age, Death, Caste, Wife, Children, Family, Biography & More

Pranab Mukherjee was an Indian politician who served as the 13th President of India from 2012 to 2017. He was a senior leader of the Indian National Congress (INC) and held many important positions over his political career of 5 decades. He died on 31 August 2020 after he developed a lung infection at the Army’s Research and Referral hospital in New Delhi.

Wiki/Biography

Pranab Mukherjee was born on 11 December 1935 ( age 84; at the time of death ) in Mirati, Bengal Presidency, British India. His zodiac sign is Sagittarius. He did his schooling from the Dhaka Collegiate School, Bangladesh. He pursued his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the Suri Vidyasagar College, Birbhum, West Bengal. He then went on to pursue his MA degree from the same college in Political Science & History.

Pranab Mukherjee In College

After completing his college, he took a job as an upper-division Clerk in the Office of the Deputy Accountant-General (Post and Telegraph) in Calcutta. In 1963, he became a Political Science Lecturer at the Vidyanagar College, South 24 Parganas, Kolkata. He also worked as a journalist for some time with the newspaper, Desher Dak (Call of the Motherland). In 1969, he started to manage the political campaign of V. K. Krishna Menon for the by-elections. Menon was a Congress candidate and Mukherjee managed his campaign so well that he was noticed by Indira Gandhi  who made him a member of the Indian National Congress (INC).

Physical Appearance

[1] Hindustan Times  Height: 5′

Eye Colour: Black

Hair Colour: Grey

Pranab Mukherjee

Family, Caste & Wife

Pranab Mukherjee belonged to a Kulin Brahmin family. [2] Hindustan Times His father, Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee, was an active member of the Indian Independence Movement and the West Bengal Legislative Council between 1952 and 1964; where he represented the Indian National Congress. His mother, Rajlakshmi Mukherjee, was also a freedom fighter and took part in India’s independent movement. He had four sisters, Annapurna Banerjee, Krishna Mukherjee, Jharna, and Swagata Das Mukherjee. His elder brother, Pijush Mukherjee, died on 20 October 2017.

Pranab Mukherjee With His Mother Rajlakshmi Mukherjee

Pranab Mukherjee With His Elder Brother Pijush Mukherjee

Pranab Mukherjee’s Elder Sister Annapurna Banerjee

Pranab Mukherjee With Her Sister Krishna

Pranab Mukherjee got married to Surva Mukherjee on 13 July 1957. They had two sons, Abhijit Mukherjee and Indrajit Mukherjee, and a daughter, Sharmistha Mukherjee . Surva Mukherjee died on 18 August 2015 after suffering from heart problems.

Pranab Mukherjee With His Wife Suvra Mukherjee

Pranab Mukherjee With His Daughter Sharmistha Mukherjee

Pranab Mukherjee With His Son Abhijit Mukherjee

Pranab Mukherjee’s Son Indrajit Mukherjee

Pranab Mukherjee got associated with politics directly when he managed the by-election campaign of V. K. Krishna Menon from Midnapore, West Bengal. He managed his campaign so well that it caught the attention of Indira Gandhi . She was impressed by his talents and included him in the party. In July 1969, Pranab Mukherjee was elected to the Rajya Sabha for the first time. He was re-elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1975, 1981, 1993, and 1999. Mukherjee eventually became Indira Gandhi’s right-hand, he became close to her and rose swiftly up the party ranks. In 1973, Indira Gandhi appointed Pranab Mukherjee as the Union Deputy Minister of Industrial Development.

Pranab Mukherjee With Indira Gandhi

In 1979, Mukherjee was appointed as the Deputy Leader of the Indian National Congress (INC) in the Rajya Sabha,  and the Leader of the Rajya Sabha in 1980. He was seen as a leader with the most powerful Minister in the cabinet and even used to head cabinet meetings when Indira Gandhi was not present. In 1982, he was appointed as the Union Finance Minister. He was highly praised for his role as the Finance Minister; as, during his tenure, India received its first loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). During his term as the Finance Minister, the former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh  was appointed as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India.

Pranab Mukherjee Before Presenting The Union Budget Of 1983

After Indira Gandhi was assassinated in 1984, her son Rajiv Gandhi took over the government. At that time, many believed that Pranab Mukherjee would be the successor to Indira Gandhi as Rajiv Gandhi was not involved in politics before 1984. Pranab lost his Cabinet post and was appointed as the Head of the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee. He was sidelined by Rajiv Gandhi from the national political scene and was eventually pushed out of Congress. In 1986, Pranab Mukherjee quit the Congress and formed his party in West Bengal, the Rashtriya Samajwadi Congress (RSC). In 1987, his party did not perform well in the Assembly Elections of West Bengal. In 1989, after many negotiations, his party merged with the Congress.

Pranab Mukherjee With Rajiv Gandhi

After Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination in 1991, he was appointed as the Deputy Chairman of India’s Planning Commission by the newly formed P.V. Narasimha Rao Government. He was the Minister of External Affairs from 1995 to 1996 in the Narasimha Rao Government. During his tenure as the External Affairs Minister of India, Mukherjee paid many important visits across the globe and also met many prominent global leaders including the former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Pranab Mukherjee With Former British PM Margaret Thatcher

In 1997, when Sonia Gandhi formally entered politics, it was believed that Pranab Mukherjee was the one who convinced her. He was even considered as Sonia Gandhi’s mentor. In 1998, when Sonia Gandhi became the President of the Congress party, Pranab Mukherjee was appointed as the General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC). Pranab Mukherjee was appointed as the President of the West Bengal Congress in 2000, and he held on to that post until 2010.

Pranab Mukherjee With Sonia Gandhi

Pranab Mukherjee contested and won his first Lok Sabha election in 2004 from the Jangipur Constituency of West Bengal. He was widely speculated to be named the Prime Minister after Sonia Gandhi had declined to take the post but,  Manmohan Singh was appointed as the Prime Minister. In 2007, Mukherjee was considered to be named as the Presidential candidate, but his name was dropped considering his role in the UPA and the cabinet. In the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, he was re-elected from the Jangipur Constituency. Pranab Mukherjee was an important part of the Manmohan Singh Government. He was the head of the Congress Parliamentary Party and the Congress Legislative Party, which includes all the Congress MP’s and MLA’s of India. He was the Leader of the House and the President of the West Bengal Congress Committee. Pranab Mukherjee held many important portfolios during the Manmohan Singh government such as External Affairs, Finance and Defence. He met many world leaders during his term as the Defence Minister.

Pranab Mukherjee With Vladimir Putin

In 2012, Pranab Mukherjee retired from the active politics and the same year, he was elected as the 13th President of India. After his retirement from active politics, many people termed it as an end of an era for Congress; as, Pranab, along with P.V. Narasimha Rao and R Venkataraman, were termed as the pillars of the Congress Party. They were called the Big Three of the Congress party ; as all of them were Gandhi Family’s loyalists. On 15 June 2012, he was nominated as the Presidential candidate of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). On 25 July 2012, Pranab Mukherjee was sworn-in as the President of India by the Chief Justice of India. In January 2017, Pranab Mukherjee stated that he would not be contesting for the Presidential elections again; keeping in mind his advanced age and ailing health.

Oath Taking Ceremony Of Pranab Mukherjee

Awards, Honours & Achievements

• Honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2008
• Named as the Best Finance Minister in World in 1984 by a survey in the Euromoney magazine
• Named as the Finance Minister of the Year for Asia in 2010 by the Emerging Markets magazine (the daily newspaper of the World Bank and IMF)
• He was named the Finance Minister of the Year in 2010 by The Banker magazine
• Presented with an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Calcutta on 28 November 2014
• He was presented with an Honorary Doctorate in Political Science by The University of Jordan on 11 October 2015
• He was presented with an Honorary Doctorate by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel on 15 October 2015
• He was accorded the Honorary Citizenship of Abidjan, the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Africa on 15 June 2016
• He was presented with an Honorary Doctorate by the Kathmandu University, Nepal on 3 November 2016
• He was presented with an Honorary Doctorate by the Goa University on 25 April 2017
• Honoured with the Bharat Ratna; India’s Highest Civilian Honour in 2019

Controversies

• On 2 July 2012, his opponent for the Presidential elections, P.A. Sangma, filed a petition against Mukherjee. He blamed him of holding an office of profit while being the Finance Minister. He demanded that Mukherjee’s candidature for President should be cancelled. Sangma said that Mukherjee was the Chairman of the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI). According to Article 58 and 59, a presidential candidate cannot hold an office of profit including government-controlled bodies.
• When he was the Finance Minister between 2009 to 2012, he was blamed for influencing the textile industry, the Income Tax Department, and imposing a differential tax on Reliance Industries against Bombay Dyeing.
• In 2018, in his book  The Coalition Years , he revealed that Sonia Gandhi hated Hindus, and she took many decisions that would affect the Hindus badly. He also wrote about how she targeted Hindu saints and took measures to ensure that their reputation was damaged.
• In 2019, when Mukherjee was named as a recipient of the Bharat Ratna, many people speculated that the BJP was just awarding Mukherjee to appeal to the East and Northeast states.

Flat No. 2-A, Kavi Bharti Sarani, Lake Road, Kolkata

Car Collection

Pranab Mukherjee had a Ford Ikon (2000 model) and an Ambassador

Books Authored

• Beyond Survival: Emerging Dimensions of Indian Economy (1984)
• Off the Track (1987)
• The saga of Struggle and Sacrifice (1992)
• Challenges before the Nation (1992)
• Congress and the Making of the Indian Nation (2011)
• Thoughts and Reflections (2014)
• The Dramatic Decade: The Indira Gandhi Years (2014)
• Selected Speeches – Pranab Mukherjee (2015)
• The Turbulent Years: 1980 – 1996 (2016)
• The Coalition Years (2018)

Assets & Properties

Cash:  1.37 Lacs INR

Bank Deposits:  59.67 Lacs INR

Agricultural land: Worth 1.66 Lacs INR in Mirati, Birbhum, Kolkata

Residential flats: In Munirka, New Delhi (worth 39 Lacs INR), and in Kavi Bharti Sarani, Lake Road, Kolkata (worth 21 Lacs INR)

Ancestral house:  Worth 60,000 INR in Mirati, Birbhum, Kolkata

3.06 Crores INR  (as in 2011)

On, Monday, 31 August 2020, Pranab Mukherjee died after he developed a lung infection at the Army’s Research and Referral hospital in New Delhi. He was undergoing treatment at the hospital for a brain surgery. Earlier, he had also tested COVID-19 positive. [3] The Hindu

• He was the first Bengali to become the President of India.
• He enjoyed reading, gardening, and music.
• In an interview, Pranab Mukherjee said that he was inspired by the Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, and he often used to quote him in his literary work and speeches.

Pranab Mukherjee With His Family

Pranab Mukherjee Smoking

• As the President of India, he rejected seven mercy petitions, including those of Afzal Guru and Ajmal Kasab.
• In June 2018, Pranab Mukherjee became the first former President of India to address a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) event.

The cover page of the book ‘Pranab, My Father: A Daughter Remembers’ (2023)

References [+] [−]

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Biography of Pranab Mukherjee

  pranab kumar mukherjee..

Pranab Kumar Mukherjee (December 11, 1935 - August 31, 2020) was an Indian politician. He served as the 13th President of India from 2012 to 2017. During his six decades of political career he was a senior leader in the Indian National Congress. He held several ministerial posts in the Central Government. Prior to his election as President, he served as Union Finance Minister from 2009 to 2012. Pranab Mukherjee has a special place in political circles irrespective of party affiliation. Political parties say he is unmatched as a genius and a crisis solver.

♦ He addressed the Congress in 1969 as the Bangla Congress Representative. The then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was shocked to hear that speech. Knowing that his father was a freedom fighter and had served in various capacities in the Congress party, she offered him the opportunity to become a member of the Rajya Sabha on behalf of the Congress within a year. 

 ♦ He became a member of the Central Government in 1973 as one of the most loyal persons to Indira Gandhi. Like other Congress leaders in the Congress party, he was criticized for the atrocities of the controversial internal emergency of 1976-77. Mukherjee, who held several ministerial posts, ended his service as Finance Minister for the first time in 1982–84. Served as Leader of the Rajya Sabha in 1980–85.

♦ Pranab Mukherjee, who entered the Union Cabinet in 1973, is close to three generations of family leaders. During the Indira Gandhi regime, a light shone but during the Rajiv Gandhi regime, he left the party for a short time. After the assassination of Indira Gandhi in 1984, he felt it was inappropriate to refer to Rajiv Gandhi as the Prime Minister of India who had no political experience. Mukherjee lost the battle for the PM's job. Rashtriya Samajwadi Party has formed its own party in the name of Congress. Back in 1989, he reconciled with Rajiv Gandhi and merged his party with the Congress. Pranab Mukherjee's pre-glory came in 1991 when PV Narasimha Rao became the Prime Minister with unpredictable political developments after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi.

♦ PV Narasimha Rao, who appointed Pranab Mukherjee as the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission in 1991, took over the External Affairs Ministry in 1995. Pranab Mukherjee, who had earlier served as Industries Minister, has since served effectively in all key portfolios in the Cabinet. When the announcement of Sonia's political entry came out, some pointed out her foreignness, but Pranab sided with Sonia. As a senior Congress leader, he played a key role in becoming Sonia Gandhi's party president in 1998.

♦ That is why he was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 2004 when the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance came to power. He served as a key defense minister in the government. From then until he resigned in 2012 he was second in the Manmohan Singh government.

♦ He has held several key cabinet alliance positions. He served as Minister of Defense (2004–06), Minister of Foreign Affairs (2006–09), and Minister of Finance (2009–12). He also served as Leader of the Lok Sabha. In July 2012, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) announced him as its presidential candidate. He won 70 per cent of the Electoral College votes in the presidential election and defeated his rival PA Sangma.

♦ In 2017, Mukherjee decided not to run again in the presidential election. He felt the need to retire from politics due to health issues as he got older. His term as President ended on July 25, 2017. He was succeeded by Ramnath Kovind.

Life stories

♦ Pranab Mukherjee was born on December 11, 1935 in Mirathi village in Birbhum district of West Bengal to a Bengali aristocratic Brahmin family. His father Kamada Kinkara Mukherjee was an active member of the Indian independence movement. His father was a member of the West Bengal Legislative Council from 1952 to 1964 on behalf of the Indian National Congress, A.I. C. C was a member. His mother was Rajyalakshmi Mukherjee.

♦ At that time he studied at Suri Vidyasagar College in Suri (Birbhum) affiliated to Calcutta University. Later in Political Science, an M.A. in History. Did. He holds an LLB degree from Calcutta University.

♦ He joined the Upper Divisional Clerk (U.D.C.) in 1963 in the office of the Deputy Accountant General (Post Office, Telegraph) in Calcutta. He later served as a lecturer in political science at Vidyanagar College. He was a journalist for Desher Dak magazine before entering politics.

Early political life

♦ In 1969, as part of the political campaign for the Midnapore by-election, independent candidate V.S. K. His political career began to take charge of the campaign in the dark menanku. The then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi recognized his talent and placed him in the Indian National Congress party. He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1969 in the Indian Parliament. He was subsequently elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1975, 1981, 1993 and 1999. Loyal to the Gandhi family, he described himself as "a man of all seasons". His political career accelerated in 1973 when he became the first Deputy Minister of Industrial Development in Indira Gandhi's Cabinet. He was active in the Cabinet during the controversial internal emergency of 1975–77.

♦ Mukherjee, along with the then ruling Congress politicians, was also accused of "violating the rules and regulations of traditional governance". The Congress party lost the subsequent 1977 general election. The newly formed Janata government appointed a Shah Commission to prosecute Mukherjee. However, in 1979 the commission itself was accused of "violating its jurisdiction". Mukherjee escaped unharmed. He later served as Finance Minister from 1982 to 1984.

♦ His work in improving the government economy was well recognized. This helped India to receive the first loan of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the final installment. As a finance minister he signed a document appointing Manmohan Singh as the Reserve Bank of India governor.

♦ In 1979, he became the Deputy Leader of the Congress Party in the Rajya Sabha. In 1980, he was elected Leader of the House.

♦ Pranab Mukherjee is considered a top tier cabinet minister. He rose to the level of presiding over cabinet meetings in the absence of the Prime Minister.

♦ Mukherjee addresses the 42nd Regional Conference of Chartered Accountants

♦ Mukherjee left the Congress party after the assassination of Indira Gandhi. Although Mukherjee had more experience in politics than Indira's son Rajiv Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi held sway over the party. Mukherjee lost his seat in the cabinet. He was sent to manage the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee. He considered himself the successor of Indira Gandhi. Mukherjee was expelled from the party for teaming up with Rajiv Gandhi's opponents in the party.

♦ In 1986, Mukherjee founded the Rashtriya Samajwadi Congress (RSC) in West Bengal. Three years later, the RSC merged with the Congress after an agreement was reached in negotiations with Rajiv Gandhi. R. The. The C Party emerged victorious in the 1987 elections in West Bengal.

♦ Many analysts have accused Mukherjee of being unpopular and therefore unable to fulfill his political aspirations as a great leader. Does he want to be prime minister later? To a question he replied that "7 Race Course Road is not always his destination".

♦ His political career was restored after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991. The then Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao appointed him Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India. Then for the first time p. V. Narasimha Rao was the Minister of External Affairs in the Cabinet from 1995 to 1996.

♦ As a Gandhian loyalist, Mukherjee played a major role in Sonia Gandhi's entry into politics. Took over as her political mentor. He was the General Secretary of the AICC in 1998–99. Later, Sonia Gandhi was elected party president. He was the President of West Bengal until his resignation in 2010. He held a similar position in 1985.

♦ Mukherjee was the Leader of the Lok Sabha in 2004. He won the Jangipur Parliamentary constituency in West Bengal as a Congress candidate and was a Member of Parliament till 2009. There has been speculation that Mukherjee will be made the next Prime Minister of India in 2004 after Sonia Gandhi unexpectedly rejected the post of Prime Minister. However, Sonia Gandhi eventually appointed Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister.

♦ Mukherjee's name was shortlisted for the presidency in the 2007 presidential election. But his name was not proposed as there was a great need for him in practice in the central cabinet.

♦ Mukherjee held several key positions in the Manmohan Singh government. Managed key departments such as defense, finance, and foreign affairs. Mukherjee led the Congress Legislative Party, which consisted of Congress MPs and legislators. He enjoyed his services as Leader of the Lok Sabha and Chairman of the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee.

♦ Elected as a candidate in the 2012 presidential election, he withdrew from active politics to stay away from active politics. Retired from the Indian National Congress. He resigned as finance minister and ran for president, the country's highest office on behalf of the ruling party. He became the 13th President on July 25, 2012.

Role in a political party

♦ Pranab Mukherjee was well respected in the party's social circles. He was a member of the Congress Party Working Committee on January 27, 1978. In the same year he joined the All India Congress Committee (AICC) as a member of the Central Parliamentary Board. In 1978, he served as treasurer of the AICC and Congress.

♦ In the 1984, 1996, and 1998 Indian general elections, A.I. C. C was appointed chairman of the campaign committee. From June 28, 1999 to 2012, A.I. C. C held the responsibilities of Chairman to the Central Coordination Committee. On December 12, 2001, he was appointed to the Central Election Commission. In 1998, he was appointed AICC General Secretary. In 1997, Mukherjee was named "Outstanding Parliamentarian" by the Indian Parliamentary Group.

♦ After Sonia Gandhi reluctantly agreed to join politics, Mukherjee became one of her advisers. Pranab Mukherjee told Sonia how Indira Gandhi would solve any problem and how to deal with any crisis. Thus he became Sonia's first political mentor. At the same time, he remained loyal to the party and Sonia. As a senior Congress leader, he played a key role in becoming Sonia Gandhi's party president in 1998. Demonstrated his talent during negotiations for a patent amendment bill in early 2005.

♦ The Congress party is committed to passing the IP bill, but their coalition United Progressive Alliance ally the Left is opposed to intellectual property monopolies. Pranab, as a defense minister, was not officially involved in the affair but worked hard to move the bill as a result of his negotiation skills. He maintained alliances with several old allies, including those like CPI-M leader Jyoti Basu, and formed a new mediation. He was able to persuade his colleague Kamala Nath that "imperfect law is better than what is not perfect". The bill was finally passed on March 23, 2005.

♦ The Foreign Ministers of the two countries signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (123) between India and the United States. Government sources said the deal would provide energy security to the country. Opposition groups called for the beleagured PM to resign, citing "grave wrongdoing on the part of the United States." In 2008, Manmohan Singh proposed a no-confidence motion and won the no-confidence motion. P. The agreement helped to protect the A II government.

♦ Mukherjee played a key role in leading the cabinet ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2008-09 when he went for by-pass surgery on Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. During this time he assumed additional responsibilities as Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs and Union Minister of Finance.

♦ He received the "Best Executive Officer" award in 2011.

Government offices

Minister of defense.

♦ In 2004, Secretary of Defense Donald H. Snyder visited the South Block building in New Delhi. Mukherjee along Rumsfeld.

♦ After the Congress government came to power in 2004, the Manmohan Singh government appointed Mukherjee as defense minister. He was in charge of the department until 2006. He expanded cooperation with the United States during his tenure. In June 2005, Mukherjee signed a 10-year Indo-US Defense Framework Agreement. Despite growing cooperation with the United States, Mukherjee maintained relations with Russia as India's 'top' defense partner.

♦ In October 2005, Russia launched its first joint anti-terrorist war with India in Rajasthan. Meanwhile, Mukherjee and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov narrowly escaped when a heavy mortar fell a few meters from their platform.

Minister of Foreign Affairs

♦ In 2008, the U.S. Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee with President George W. Bush

♦ Mukherjee was appointed Minister of External Affairs in 1995. Under his leadership, he became a "full dialogue partner" for the Association of West Asian Nations as part of the "Look East Foreign Policy" launched by Prime Minister Narasimha Rao. He left the post in 1996.

♦ Mukherjee held the post for the second time in 2006. He signed the "US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement" with the United States Government. In August 2006, Manmohan Singh assured Parliament that the agreement would guarantee "full civilian nuclear cooperation" on all aspects of the full nuclear energy cycle, from nuclear fuel to reactors to used fuel. In fact, it is clear from the 123 agreement that no such guarantee of full nuclear cooperation is guaranteed. Instead, the United States, along with a group of nuclear suppliers, has banned the export of "enrichment and reprocessing" technology to India, despite full international protections. The denial of technology continues unabated. India has also failed to lift restrictions on sensitive high technology under the Defense Cooperation Agreement.

♦ He was instrumental in mobilizing world opinion on Pakistan after the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Minister of Commerce

♦ Mukherjee has been the Commerce Minister of India three times. He first took charge in the Indira Gandhi government between 1980-82 and in 1984 for the second time. He held the post for the third time in 1990. He was instrumental in the negotiations that led to the establishment of the World Trade Organization.

Minister of Finance

♦ Pranab Mukherjee with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington DC in 2011

♦ Pranab Mukherjee first served as the Finance Minister of India in 1982 in the Indira Gandhi government. He introduced the first annual budget in 1982-83.

♦ He worked hard to improve the financial assistance to the government and to successfully repay the last installment of the loan provided by India's first international monetary institution. He was signed by Manmohan Singh as Governor of the Reserve Bank of India in 1982. He has been accused of complicity in the Ambani-Wadia industrial feud. Pranab Mukherjee is credited with being the first reformer of the Indian economy. According to India Today, Mukherjee, under the leadership of PV Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh, started simplifying policies with then industrialist Charanjit Chanana in the 1980s. The left-wing magazine commented that "socialism did not grow out of Mukherjee's smoking."

♦ Mukherjee was removed from the Finance Ministry by Rajiv Gandhi in 1984. Rajiv Gandhi wanted to bring his own team to rule India. Despite being recognized as the best finance minister in the world by Euromoney magazine, he was fired.

♦ Mukherjee again took charge of the finance ministry during PV Narasimha Rao's tenure as prime minister. He was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission. Since the Prime Minister of India is the ex-officio Chairperson of the Planning Commission of India, the position of Deputy Chairperson is of great importance. During his tenure as Finance Minister between 1991-96, Dr. Manmohan Singh carried out a number of economic reforms until the end of the license raj system. It has helped to expose the Indian economy.

♦ Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee addressed the Indian Economic Forum in New Delhi in 2009.

♦ Mukherjee was re-elected Finance Minister in 2009. He introduced the annual budgets for 2009. 2010,2011. He included the country's first clear goal of reducing public debt in proportion to GDP in the 2010–11 budget from 6.5% in 2008-09. Mukherjee has set a target of reducing the budget deficit to 4.1 per cent of GDP in the 2012-13 financial year.

♦ Mukherjee implemented several tax reforms. He abolished Fringe Benefits Tax and Commodities Transaction Tax. He enforced the Goods and Services Tax during his tenure. These reforms have been praised by leading corporate executives and economists. The introduction of recurring taxes by Mukherjee has been criticized by some economists.

♦ Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee meets World Bank President Jim Young Kim at the Finance Ministry office in New Delhi in 2012

♦ Mukherjee has expanded funding for a number of social sector projects, including the "Jawaharlal National Urban Renewal Mission". He also helped increase the budget to improve literacy and health care.

♦ He expanded infrastructure programs such as the "National Highway Development Program". Electricity coverage also expanded during his tenure. Mukherjee declared that the expansion in government spending was temporary.

♦ In 2010, Mukherjee received the "Finance Minister of the Year for Asia" award from Prabhamba Bank, the International Monetary Fund's "Emerging Markets" magazine. "Because of his energy price reforms, economic transparency, and integrated growth strategies, he has been inspired by key stakeholders," he said. He was named "Minister of Finance of the Year" by The Banker.

♦ Mukherjee's last years in the finance ministry were not successful.

Other locations

♦ Prabab Mukherjee with Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Mohammad Ansari.

♦ Mukherjee is the Chairman of the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata. He was the Chairman and President of Rabindranath University and Nikhil Bharat Banga Sahitya Sammelan. He was a former trustee member of the Bhangia Sahitya Parishad. He served on the Asiatic Society Planning Board.

President of India

♦ On June 15, 2012, Mukherjee was nominated as the UPA's presidential candidate after several political maneuvers. The presidential election is scheduled for July 19, 2012, and the results will be announced on July 22, 2012. 81 other members contested the election and filed nominations. But all but the nomination of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee PA Sangma were rejected. He resigned from his ministerial post on June 26, 2012 to be nominated on June 28. He received 713,763 votes in the election, while Sangma received 315,987 votes. He made the victory speech outside his residence before the results were officially released. 

In that speech:

“I want to express my gratitude to all of you who are waiting. My vote count has crossed 7 lakhs. There is still one state left. The final result is to be issued by the Returning Officer of the Election. I thank the people of India for electing me to this highest office. People’s curiosity and friendly demeanor are great. I have received far more results than I can give from Parliament, from the people of this country. As President of the country, it is my responsibility to protect and defend the Constitution. I strive to justify the trust of the people. ”

♦ Mukherjee with leaders of Russia, China, South Africa, Vietnam and Egypt - May 9, 2015 on the occasion of Moscow Victory Day.

♦ Mukherjee was sworn in as the 13th President of India on July 25, 2012 by the then Chief Justice of India. He was the first person from the state of Bengal to hold this post. Congress President Sonia Gandhi and then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh congratulated him. Opposition leader Sharad Yadav said, "The country needs a president like Pranab Mukherjee." Commented. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit Mukherjee has been described as "one of the wisest presidents". She was further surprised that parties in the opposition ranks supported Mukherjee. In this context, "the NDA split because it wanted Pranab Mukherjee to vote for president". 

♦ The Bharatiya Janata Party was shocked to see its legislative members cross-voting. However, BJP president Nitin Gadkari congratulated Mukherjee. Nitin declared, "I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Pranab Mukherjee as the new President of India." Gatkari commented, "I am sure this country will be more developed and prosperous. I wish him success and a bright future."

♦ Zee News commented: "After four decades in public life, the Opposition has no arguments against Pranab Mukherjee after he was elected President by the UPA." Anna's team, however, made a fuss that he was in some corruption cases. Once Sonia Gandhi proposed his name, many allies and the Opposition came on stage. Presidential elections have also been ripped apart by the Left. The CPI (M) has shocked the CPM, which wants to play a bigger role in the Left. The CPI (M) has decided to support Pranab Mukherjee unilaterally while the CPI (M) National Committee has decided to remain neutral. The RSP also made a similar decision. JD (U) is an NDA partner. (U), Shiv Sena has declared support for Pranab Mukherjee, not Sangma.

♦ The Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance was promulgated by him on February 3, 2013. It amends the Sexual Offenses Laws of the Indian Penal Code, the Indian Evidence Act, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. In July 2015, Pranab Mukherjee rejected 24 pardon petitions. Among them are the petitions of Yakub Memon, Ajmal Kasab and Afzal Guru. In January 2017 he announced that he would not be running in the 2017 presidential election. He said the decision was made due to old age and illness.

Personal life

♦ Pranab Mukherjee married Suvra Mukherjee on July 13, 1957. She hails from the Narail region of Bangladesh. She migrated to Kolkata when she was 10. The couple has two sons and a daughter. Suvra died of a heart attack on August 18, 2015 at the age of 74. He is inspired by Deng Xiaoping and quotes him very often. His hobbies are reading, gardening, music. His eldest son Abhijit Mukherjee is a Congress MP from Jangipur parliamentary constituency in West Bengal. The son contested and won the by-election to the position vacated by his father. Apart from being elected as a Member of Parliament, Abhijit is a Member of Parliament from Nalhati in Birbhum.

♦ Mukherjee's daughter Sharmishtha Mukherjee is a Kathak dancer and Indian National Congress politician.

♦ Mukherjee performs Durga Puja every year at his ancestral home in Mirathi village. To the Mirathi village every year for four days of rituals and worship.

♦ Mukherjee has received many accolades and honors:

National Awards

♦ IND Padma Vibhushan BAR.png: Padma Vibhushan Award in 2008.

♦ 2019: Bharat Ratna

Academic Honors

♦ Honorary Doctor of Letters degree in 2011 from Wolverhampton University in the United Kingdom.

♦ Visvesvaraya Technological University in March 2012, Honorary D.Sc. from the University of Assam. Lit.

♦ On March 4, 2013, at the University of Dhaka, the Hon'ble L.A. L. D.

♦ Doctor of Civil Law from the University of Mauritius on March 13, 2013.

♦ Honorary Doctorate from the University of Istanbul on October 5, 2013.

♦ Honorary Doctorate from Calcutta University on 28 November 2014.

♦ Honorary Doctorate in Political Science from the University of Jordan on October 11, 2015.

♦ Honorary Doctorate from Al-Quid University, Ramallah, Alstina on October 13, 2015.

♦ Honorary Doctorate from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel on October 15, 2015.

♦ Honorary Doctorate from the University of Kathmandu, Nepal on November 3, 2016.

♦ Honorary Doctorate from the University of Goa on 25 April 2017.

♦ D, Lit (Honors Casa) from Jadavpur University on December 24, 2017.

♦ D.Litt from 16th January 2018 from Chittagong University.

Other identities

♦ World's best finance minister (1984; based on a survey by Euromoney Magazine).

♦ Minister of Finance of the Year Asia; By the World Bank, IMF Market Daily).

♦ Minister of Finance of the Year (December 2010; by The Banker).

♦ Honorary Citizenship of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire, Abidjan, June 15, 2016.

Positions held

♦ Pranab Mukherjee Chronological Positions:

♦ Industrial Development - Union Minister 1973–1974

♦ Shipping, Transport - Union Minister 1974

♦ Ministry of Finance: Minister of State 1974–1975

♦ Revenue, Banking: Union Minister 1975–1977

♦ Congress Party Treasurer 1978–79

♦ All India Congress Committee Treasurer 1978–79

♦ Leader of the Rajya Sabha 1980–85

♦ Minister of Commerce, Steel and Mines - Union Minister 1980–1982

♦ Ministry of Finance - Union Minister - 1982–1984

♦ International Monetary Fund Board of Governors - 1982–1985

♦ World Bank Board of Governors - 1982–1985

♦ 1984 as Union Minister for Commerce and Supply

♦ Chairman: Congress Eye Campaign Committee - Parliamentary National Elections in 1984, 1991, 1996, 1998.

♦ Chairman of Group of 24 (IMF, World Bank Ministries) 1984, 2009–2012

♦ President of the State Division of the Congress Party. 1985,2000–10

♦ AICC Chairman, Economic Advisory Cell, 1987–1989

♦ Deputy Chairman - Planning Commission 1991–1996

♦ Minister of Commerce - Union Minister 1993–1995

♦ Minister of External Affairs - Union Minister 1995–1996

♦ President of the SAARC Council of Ministers 1995

♦ A. I. C. C General Secretary 1998–1999

♦ Chairman of the Central Election Coordinating Committee - 1999–2012

♦ Leader of the Lok Sabha - 2004–2012

♦ Ministry of Defense - Union Minister 2004–2006

♦ Minister of External Affairs - Union Minister 2006–2009

♦ Finance Minister: Union Minister 2009–2012

♦ President of India - 25 July 2012 - 25 July 2017.

♦ Mid term poll.

♦ Beyond Survival: Emerging Dimensions of the Indian Economy - 1984.

♦ Off the track - 1987.

♦ Saga of Struggle and Sacrifice - 1992.

♦ Challenges Before the Nation - 1992.

♦ "A Centenary History of the Indian National Congress - Volume V: 1964–1984" - 2011.

♦ "Congress and the Making of the Indian Nation" 2 011.

 ♦ "Thoughts and Reflections" - 2014.

♦ The Dramatic Decade: The Indira Gandhi Years - 2014.

♦ "Selected Speeches - Pranab Mukherjee" - 2015.

♦ "The Turbulent Years: 1980–1996" - 2016.

♦ "The Collision Years".

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Pranab Mukherjee Biography

Pranab Mukherjee, a veteran Indian politician and former President of India, has had a long and illustrious political career spanning several decades. With a rare distinction of serving as foreign, defence, commerce, and finance minister at different times, he has made significant contributions to the Indian National Congress. Born into a family of freedom fighters, Mukherjee grew up witnessing his father’s active role in the Indian independence movement. After earning advanced degrees in history, political science, and law, he embarked on a career as a college teacher and journalist before entering politics. With the support of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha and eventually became the 13th President of India in 2012. In recognition of his contributions, he was honored with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in 2019.

Quick Facts

• Indian Celebrities Born In December
• Also Known As: Pranab Kumar Mukherjee
• Died At Age: 84
• Spouse/Ex-: Suvra Mukherjee (m. 1957–2015)
• Father: Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee
• Mother: Rajlakshmi Mukherjee
• Children: Abhijit Mukherjee, Indrajit Mukherjee, Sharmistha Mukherjee
• Born Country: India
• Political Leaders
• Political ideology: Political party – Independent
• Died on: August 31, 2020
• Place of death: New Delhi, India
• Diseases & Disabilities: Coronavirus Disease 2019, Blood Clot
• Cause of Death: Deaths From The COVID-19 Pandemic
• Founder/Co-Founder: Rashtriya Samajwadi Congress
• Education: University Of Calcutta
• Awards: Padma Vibhushan Bharat Ratna (2019)

Childhood & Early Life

Pranab Mukherjee was born on 11 December 1935 in Mirati in Birbhum District in West Bengal, India, into a Brahmin family. His parents were freedom fighters, Shri Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee and Rajlakshmi. His father was very active in the Indian independence movement and was jailed several times for his involvement in the freedom struggle. His father was also a longtime member of the Indian National Congress.

Mukherjee attended the Suri Vidyasagar College in Suri and earned an MA degree in political science and history. He then furthered his education and received an LL.B degree from the department of law of the University of Calcutta.

Pranab Mukherjee embarked on a professional career as a college teacher when he began teaching political science at the Vidyanagar College in 1963. He also worked as a journalist for some time with the ‘Desher Dak’ (Call of Motherland).

He ventured into politics in 1969 when he became a member of the Rajya Sabha. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi recognized Mukherjee’s potential and helped him join her party, the Indian National Congress (INC). She mentored him during his initial years in politics and played a significant role in his growth and development as a politician.

He quickly rose through the ranks in Indira Gandhi’s cabinet and became the Deputy Leader of the INC in the Rajya Sabha in 1979, and was appointed Leader of the House in 1980. He went on to serve as the Finance Minister from 1982 to 1984.

He was sidelined from the INC after the assassination of Indira Gandhi in 1984 following which her son Rajiv gained control. In 1991, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated and P. V. Narasimha Rao became the Prime Minister.

Rao appointed Pranab Mukherjee as deputy chairman of the Indian planning commission in 1991 and subsequently as a union cabinet minister. Pranab Mukherjee’s political career revived and he also served as External Affairs Minister from 1995 to 1996 in Rao’s cabinet.

Pranab Mukherjee held many other prominent positions over the next few years including the portfolio of Minister of Defence from 2004 to 2006 and once again the Minister of External Affairs from 2006 to 2009. From 2009 to 2012 he was the Minister of Finance. He also served as the Leader of the Lower House of Parliament from 2004 to 2012.

Pranab Mukherjee also has several years of diplomatic experience. He has served on the Board of Governors of the IMF, World Bank, Asian Development Bank and African Development Bank. In addition, he has led the Indian delegations to the Commonwealth Finance Ministers’ Conferences in 1982, 1983 and 1984. He participated in the Conference of Commonwealth Heads of Government at Auckland in 1995.

He was nominated as the presidential candidate of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) in June 2012. In order to file his nomination for the presidential poll, Mukherjee resigned from the government. He easily won the election defeating P. A. Sangma in the race to Rashtrapati Bhavan, and was sworn into office on 25 July 2012 as the 13th President of India.

Major Works

During his second term as the External Affairs Minister of India, Pranab Mukherjee oversaw the successful signing of the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Agreement with the U.S. government and then with the Nuclear Suppliers Group. The agreement allowed India to participate in civilian nuclear trade in spite of not having signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

During his first stint as the Finance Minister in the early 1980s, he was credited with being an early reformer of the Indian economy. After assuming this post once again in 2009 he presented the annual budgets in 2009, 2010 and 2011. He also expanded funding for several social sector schemes including the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.

Awards & Achievements

In 2008, he was honored with the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award of India.

He was named Finance Minister of the Year for Asia by ‘Emerging Markets’, the daily newspaper of record for the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2010.

In 2013, he was awarded Bangladesh’s second highest award Bangladesh Liberation War Honor (Bangladesh Muktijuddho Sanmanona).

On January 25, 2019, the government of India awarded him Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award.

Personal Life & Legacy

Pranab Mukherjee married Suvra Mukherjee (nee Ghosh) in 1957. The couple had three children: two sons and one daughter. His wife died of an illness in August 2015.

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Shri Pranab Mukherjee FORMER PRESIDENT OF INDIA Term of Office: 25th July 2012 - 25th July 2017

Former President Of India

Shri pranab mukherjee.

Shri Pranab Mukherjee assumed office as the 13th President of India on July 25, 2012, crowning a political career of over five decades of exemplary service to the nation in Government as well as Parliament.

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• 31 Jul 12 President Re-allocates Portfolios of Ministers
• 01 Aug 12 President of India's Greetings on the Occasion of Raksha Bandhan
• 02 Aug 12 The President of India Urges the Nation to Re-double Efforts for the Protection and Welfare of Women on the…
• 03 Aug 12 Re-designed Website of the President of India Launched; Citizens Can Now Connect Directly to the President
• 04 Aug 12 President Congratulates Vijay Kumar for Winning a Silver Medal in London Olympics
• 08 Aug 12 President of India to Honour the Freedom Fighters on the Occasion of Anniversary of 'Quit India Movement…
• 09 Aug 12 President's Greetings on the Occasion of Janmashtami
• 09 Aug 12 President Congratulates Mary Kom for Winning Bronze Medal in London Olympics
• 10 Aug 12 Shri Vayalar Ravi Gets Additional Charge of the Ministry of Science and Technology; the Ministry of Earth…
• 10 Aug 12 "Ceremonial Changing of Guards" Ceremony Not to Be Held Tomorrow at Rashtrapati Bhavan
• 11 Aug 12 Probationers of Indian Forest Service Call on the President
• 13 Aug 12 President of India to Address the Nation Tomorrow on the Eve of Independence Day 2012
• 23 Feb 20 Speech Of Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Former President Of India On The Occassion Of ‘10th Annual National Conclave…
• 15 Feb 20 Speech Of Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Former President Of India On The Occasion Of Vice Admiral Kk Nayyar…
• 23 Jan 20 Speech Of Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Former President Of India On The Occasion Of The Inaugural Sukumar Sen…
• 18 Dec 19 Speech of Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Former President of India on the Occasion of the Annual Rajendra Mathur…

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Pranab Mukherjee: The man who turned tides of traditions

Madhabi Banerjee, the daughter-in-law of his sister Annapurna Banerjee, recounts how Pranab Mukherjee was ahead of his time.

Listen to Story

Pranab Mukherjee followed religious beliefs and rituals ardently but also stood against old traditions and broke many unwritten rules with utmost grace.

Madhabi narrates an incident of 2006-07 when Pranab Mukherjee's son Indrajit Mukherjee was getting married.

Madhabi, dear to Pranab Mukherjee, was called thrice to help set things up, but she did not turn up.

On being pulled up by Pranab Mukherjee, she mentioned the unwritten rule of widows not participating in such rituals. But something unexpected happened.

Madhabi recalls, "Along with being extremely religious and a strict devotee, he was also a man with very modern outlooks. He said he will make me perform the entire wedding's rituals. He made me perform haldi, tatta and phool shojja ceremonies ...almost everything."

"His son Abhijit and daughter Sarmishtha encouraged me greatly and exclaimed that they were so happy that I will perform all ceremonies. This is something I will never forget, the way the entire family supported me was incredible. That is the most memorable day of my life."

But that's not all. He took personal care with special attention. Madhabi shares, "It's been 36 years since my marriage, but in these 36 years, he has loved me more than my own mama. There are many small things he was the finance minister then and there he had a lemon tree in Greater Kailash. He came to Kirnahar. He was downstairs and asked me to come down and told me 'look I've got these 2 lemons for you, have it.' I haven't forgotten that day."

A GUIDING GUARDIAN

Madhabi had known Pranab Mukherjee for almost four decades but every experience got her closer with love and affection showered on her by him.

Similarly, there was another incident where he borrowed a book and remembered to return it, that too in a marriage ceremony.

Madhabi shares, "I still have the book Prothom Alo that my husband gifted to me. He (Pranab Mukherjee) started reading that book and told me: "Mukul, I'm taking this book, and will return after reading."

I told him that he can keep that book, but he said, "No, your husband has gifted this to you." I said, it's okay, you can keep it. After a year, we went to a wedding that he also attended. He returned that book."

A BRILLIANT BRAHMIN

Pranab Mukherjee's love for Durga Puja made him a Brahmin with a difference who despite becoming the President of India continued to do his prayers indoors since the protocol made him a religion-neutral first citizen.

His prayers were done in exactly the format he followed for years.

Madhabi reveals, "Whenever he visited, he spent the entire day doing puja. He did his prayers with complete allegiance. He did things with perfection, he looked after each and every small detail like in Chandi Path, there have to be 19 hibiscus flowers, so he wanted that anyhow. He finished Chandi Path in 2 hours and 23 or 24 minutes. He continuously saw the watch. And he seemed very happy when he finished it on time."

A DISCIPLINED DEVOTEE

Pranab Mukherjee might have travelled across the world but during Durga Puja, his itinerary was fixed forever to be in his native village in Miraty in Birbhum. His arrival on Sashthi and departure post Dashami had been a rule which was followed irrespective of his position or engagements.

During puja, he fasted and followed Hindu vedic calendar timings for all his prayers.

Madhabi says, "We gave him fruits. At night, I gave him boiled rice and vegetables."

PRANAB: THE READER

If you thought he used to read only serious books, this will come as a major surprise.

Pranab Mukherjee back home in Birbhum read comics and funny stories in any language and sometimes laughed out loud re-reading the same.

Madhabi smiles and shares, "Whenever he visited Kirnahar, the first thing asked was: 'what books you people have. What new books you have, give them to me.' My son and the son of our elder brother-in-law gave him books. Comic books of Sanjiv Chattopadhyay like 'Lotakambal' he read repeatedly. Chacha Chaudhary and all sorts of books. He used to go back on Navami and on Dashmi he used to call all of us and we all played antakshari. Mama also played aabriti. Generally the poems of Rabindranath Tagore. For some hours."

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Pranab mukherjee biography, pranab mukherjee personal life, political timeline of pranab mukherjee, pranab mukherjee achievements, interesting facts about pranab mukherjee, pranab mukherjee early life, pranab mukherjee net worth.

Born to a freedom fighters' family Mr. Pranab Mukherjee scaled up his political career to the pinnacle of a democracy. He earned an M.A and LL.B degrees from University of Calcutta and started his professional career as an upper divisional clerk in the office of Deputy Accountant General in Calcutta. In 1963 his career took a turn and Pranab Da became the lecturer of political science in Vidyasagar college in Kolkata. He started his political career as a Bangla Congress leader and entered Rajyasabha, the upper house of Indian parliament in the year 1969, later recognized by then prime minister Indira Gandhi and inducted into congress. For some time after Indira Gandhi's death, he parted his way from the Indian National Congress and boasted his own party but later came back and always been a crisis manager for the congress party and Dr. Manmohan Singh led UPA 1 and UPA 2 governments. He worked as the cabinet ministers of top notch portfolio in govt of India and chaired many parliamentary committee before taking the office of President Of India on 25 July 2012. After a successful presidential tenure, Pranab Da was living a retired life. In year 2020 when the Coronavirus pandemic hit the world and India as well, it unfortunately infected the former president of India also. After diagnosed positive for Covid 19, Mr. Mukherjee was treated at the R & R Army hospitals in Delhi for the septic shock for over a week, remained on life support systems but his health couldn't be revived and on 31 August 2020 he breathed his last. He is survived by 3 children, daughter Sharmishta Mukherjee, and sons, Abhijeet Mukherjee and Indrajeet Mukherjee. Pranab Mukherjee's wife Suvra Mukherjee went to her heavenly abode in the year 2015.

Full Name	Pranab Mukherjee
Date of Birth	11 Dec 1935
Date of Death	31 Aug 2020 (Age 84)
Place of Birth	Mirati, Birbhum, West Bengal
Party Name	Indian National Congress
Education	Doctorate
Profession	Lawyer, Politician, Parliamentarian, President of India
Father's Name	Kinkar Mukhopadhyay
Mother's Name	Rajlakshmi Mukherjee
Religion	Hindu
Website

• Finance Minister of India
• Minister of External Affairs
• Defence Minister
• Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission
• Finance Minister in Indira Gandhi Led Government
• Leader of Rajya Sabha
• Joined Congress party on Indira Gandhi's invitation
• Elected as Member of Parliament - Rajya Sabha
• President of India
• An UDC in Deputy AG, Calcutta, lecturer of political science in Vidyasaga College, Kolkata to a politician of eminence.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is sourced from various publicly available platforms including https://en.wikipedia.org/ , https://sansad.in/ls , https://sansad.in/rs , https://pib.gov.in/ , https://affidavit.eci.gov.in/ and the official websites of state assemblies respectively. While we make every effort to maintain the accuracy, comprehensiveness and timeliness of the information provided, we cannot guarantee the absolute accuracy or reliability of the content. The data presented here has been compiled without consideration of the objectives or opinions of individuals who may access it.

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Former President Pranab Mukherjee: 10 Interesting and lesser known facts about him

Former president of india, pranab mukherjee at the age of 84 died on 31 august, 2020 (monday). since the earlier month of august, he had been in coma after a brain surgery. 7 days national mourning has been announced as a tribute to former president pranab mukherjee. his last rites will be conducted on 1 september, 2020 (tuesday). .

Former President Pranab Mukherjee passes away: Earlier month of August he underwent brain surgery at the Army Research and Referral hospital in the national capital Delhi. On Monday (31 August, 2020) his condition deteriorated and had gone in a state of septic shock because of lung infection. 

He left the world after a long battle for life and left the country heartbroken and no doubt a big void is created in Indian politics. He was known for his instant replies and an immense sense of humour that he mostly displayed in the parliamentary sessions. A seven-day state mourning has been announced by the Centre that will be observed from 31 August, 2020 to 6 September, 2020 as a tribute to the former President and Bahrat Ratna Pranab Mukherjee. During the period of state mourning, National Flag will fly at half-mast on all buildings throughout India, where it is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted "India grieves the passing away of Bharat Ratna Pranab Mukherjee. He has left an indelible mark on the development trajectory of our nation. A scholar par excellence, a towering statesman, he was admired across the political spectrum & by all sections of society.”

Here we are providing some lesser-known and interesting facts about former President Pranab Mukherjee depicting his life, family, education, political career, etc.

10 Interesting and lesser-known facts about former President Pranab Mukherjee

1. He was born on 11 December, 1935 in Mirati, Bengal Presidency, British India (present-day Birbhum district, West Bengal, India) to Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee (father) and Rajlakshmi Mukherjee (mother). During the Indian Independence movement, his father played an active role and was also a member of the West Bengal Legislative Council during 1952-1964 as an Indian National Congress representative.

2. He did his schooling from Suri Vidyasagar College, Suri. He did his Masters in Political Science and History from the University of Calcutta. He earned his LLB degree from the same university.

3. Before joining the politics, he served as an upper-division Clerk in the Office of deputy Accountant-General, Calcutta. As an Assistant Professor of Political Science, he joined Vidyanagar College, Kolkata in 1963. And as a journalist, he also worked for Desher Dak (Call for Motherland).

4. He entered into the politics in 1969 and managed the election campaign of V.K Krishna Menon, an independent candidate. Do you know he was the only minister who held most of the major ministerial portfolios in the cabinet: commerce (1993–95), external affairs (1995–96 and 2006–09), defense (2004–06), and finally back to finance (2009–12).

5. Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, recognised the talent of the former President Pranab Mukherjee at that time and offered him to join the Congress. She helped him in 1969, to become a member of the Upper House of the Parliament (Rajya Sabha). He was re-elected to Rajya Sabha in 1975, 1981, 1993, and 1999.

6. Do you know that he was the only Finance Minister to have presented seven budgets? He was voted as the Best Finance Minister in the World in 1984 by the Euromoney magazine.

7. National Honours received by him are Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award in 2008, and Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award in 2019.

8. He had written more than 9 books and few of them are Midterm Poll, Off the Track (1987), The saga of Struggle and Sacrifice (1992), Congress and the Making of the Indian Nation (2011), The Dramatic Decade: The Indira Gandhi Years (2014), The Turbulent Years, The Coalition Years, etc.

9. 3 Foreign Honours received by him are Bangladesh Muktijuddho Sanmanona-- Bangladesh Liberation War Honour (March 2013), and Cross of National Order of the Ivory Coast-- highest state order of knighthood of the Ivory Coast (June 2016), and Grand Collar of the Order of Makarios II-- highest order of Merit awarded by Cyprus.

10. Other recognitions received by him are Finance Minister of Year for Asia (2010) - Emerging Markets, the daily newspaper of record for World Bank and IMF, Finance Minister of Year (2010) by the Banker and Honorary Citizenship of Abidjan, the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire in June 2016. He had also received several academic honours.

He became the President of India on 25 July, 2012 and he did not run for re-elections and retired from politics due to age-related health complications. In 2017, his term as a President ended and he was succeeded by the President of India Ram Nath Kovind.

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8. Article Writing on: Pranab Mukherjee

The following paragraph is all about the life of Pranab Mukherjee. Read and find out about his life.

Pranab Mukherjee

Shree Pranab Kumar Mukherjee, the 13th and current President of India was born on 11 December 1935 in West Bengal. Mukherjee’s father, Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee, was deeply involved in India’s struggle for independence and was a member of Indian National Congress. Mukherjee attended the

Sufi Vidyasagar College in Sufi. He subsequently earned his master’s degree in political science and history, and also an LLB degree from the Department of Law of the University of Calcutta.

 Mukherjee worked in the office of Deputy Accountant General (Post and Telegraph) in Calcutta, then taught political science at a college in South-z4 Parganas and also worked in a publication-Deshar Dak before starting his political career.

 It was in the year 1969, when Mukherjee campaigned for the independent candidate, VK Krishna Menon, that the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi spotted him (Mukherjee) and recruited him in her party as a member of the Rajya Sabha. Mukherjee was re-elected to the house in 1975, 1981, 1993 and 1999.

 Early on in his career in the legislature, Mukherjee became the protege of Indira Gandhi. Under her tutelage, he served many positions of high responsibility in the cabinet and was named the

Finance Minister of India in 198z. However, post-Gandhi’s assassination in 1984 and under the leadership of Rajiv Gandhi, Mukherjee was sidelined from the party. He subsequently left the Congress Party in 1986 and by 1987, had formed a small political party of his own. However, Mukherjee and Rajiv Gandhi, both reconciled their differences later and Mukherjee merged his group back into Congress.

 Mukherjee’s political career regained health when he was appointed the head of the Planning Commission in 1991 and then was made the Foreign Minister in 1995. As an elder statesman of the Congress, Mukherjee was also the principal architect of Sonia Gandhi’s ascension to the party’s presidency in 1998.

Mukherjee won a Lok Sabha seat for the first time in zoo+ In the general elections of that year, when the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) came to power, Mukherjee had won elections from Jangipur in West Bengal. Dr Manmohan Singh appointed Mukherjee as the Minister of Defence of India in 2004. Then, in 2006, he was named the External Affairs Minister, before serving as the Finance Minister in 2009. In wiz, his name was nominated for the prestigious post of the Head of the State-President of India. In July 2012, Mukherjee was elected to the honourable position. As a president, Pranab was applauded for rejecting the mercy petitions of Ajmal Kasab and Afzal Guru.

In the past, Miikherjee has also served as the Chairman of Indian Statistical Institute in Kolkata and as the President of Rabindra Bharati University.

 It can aptly be said that Mukherjee’s career is an eclectic mix of jobs and the current President is widely experienced in many spheres and fields professionally, executing his duties everywhere with diligence.

Download the above Article in PDF (Printable)

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Remembering Pranab, a remarkable politician

Pranab was the quintessential witness to an era. born in 1935, his career began as a clerk in the post and telegraph department in west bengal and culminated as the 13th president of india.

Last week, the Pranab Mukherjee Legacy Foundation invited me to be a speaker at a function in his memory, organised by his daughter, Sharmishtha Mukherjee. The other speakers were Sitaram Yechury, leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), NK Singh, chairman of the 15th Finance Commission, and Shekhar Dutt, former defence secretary and current governor of Chhattisgarh. Dinesh Singh, former vice-chancellor of Delhi University, delivered the vote of thanks. Curiously, there was no one from the Congress, of which Pranab was an icon.

Pranab was the quintessential witness to an era. Born in 1935, his career began as a clerk in the post and telegraph department in West Bengal and culminated as the 13th President of India. His political career took off in 1969, when he was elected to the Rajya Sabha on a Congress ticket. His political mentor was Indira Gandhi, who recognised his remarkable capabilities. Under her, he became finance minister (FM) at 47, and the de facto number two in her Cabinet.

Meteoric success, however, has its pitfalls. The blue-eyed protégé of Indira Gandhi suffered a catastrophic political reversal after her tragic assassination in 1984. Apparently, Rajiv Gandhi, who succeeded his mother as Prime Minister (PM), was not convinced of his loyalty.

Is this true? Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit once gave me her version of what transpired. She was in the plane in which Rajiv Gandhi, along with Pranab, were returning from Kolkata to Delhi, on hearing of the attack on Indira Gandhi. According to her, Rajiv Gandhi emerged from the cockpit, confirming that she had passed away. Pranab Mukherjee was seated in the first row, aisle seat. Rajiv stopped next to him, and asked, “What next?”

Pranab, citing past precedents, replied that, as per the party’s constitution, the next leader would have to be elected by the Congress Parliamentary Party, and in the interim, the senior-most leader could be sworn in as the PM. His “error” was that he did not instantaneously say that Rajiv Gandhi was the only and immediate choice.

Rajiv Gandhi was a gentleman. But he was surrounded by a coterie of politically rootless and ambitious men, who allegedly planted in his mind that Pranab was untrustworthy. His downfall was precipitated; he was expelled from the party, and for the next five years, went into political wilderness.

People remember the highs in the lives of great men but forget the lows. It was only when PV Narasimha Rao became PM in 1991, after Rajiv Gandhi’s untimely and tragic assassination, that Pranab’s fortunes changed. He was appointed deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, and then external affairs minister.

The Congress lost the 1998 elections to the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP). Sonia Gandhi became the president of the Congress party. Pranab, with his vast experience in party affairs, and phenomenal knowledge of parliamentary procedures and constitutional provisions, mentored her during her initial helmsmanship. In 2004, when the Congress — in alliance with the Left Front — came to power again, Sonia Gandhi declined to be PM, and instead nominated Manmohan Singh. Pranab was overlooked, in spite of his far greater political seniority. In fact, as FM, Pranab had appointed Manmohan Singh as governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

History is not always fair, but often has its compensations. In 2012, Pranab became the President of India, but even that, according to some in the know, was not backed fully by the Congress leadership, whose preference was vice-president Hamid Ansari. It was only some last minute political networking, in which Mamata Banerjee and Mulayam Singh Yadav supposedly played a key role, that ensured Pranab’s presidency.

Ironically, it was the BJP that gave Pranab the Bharat Ratna. Many criticised him for speaking, after he had retired as President, at a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh event in Nagpur. But Pranab, the inveterate consensus builder and believer in the Indian tradition of shastrartha or civilised discourse, did not think this was wrong, or a negation of his strong views on India’s secular credentials.

Pranab kept a detailed daily diary. Sharmishtha is writing a biography of her father using this invaluable historical material. It should make for very interesting reading.

Pavan K Varma is author, diplomat, and former Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Just Like That is a weekly column where Varma shares nuggets from the world of history, culture, literature, and personal reminiscences with HT Premium readersThe views expressed are personal

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