Pranab Mukherjee Birth Anniversary: Pranab Mukherjee, a powerful orator and scholar, assumed office as the 13th President of India on July 25, 2012. During his exemplary service to the nation, he spearheaded critical decisions of the Government on a range of issues. Throughout his political career, he served in different roles such as Foreign, Defence, Commerce, and Finance Minister.

Early Life

Born on December 11, 1935, in the small village of Mirati in West Bengal’s Birbhum District, Pranab Mukherjee, the son of freedom fighters Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee and Rajlakshmiwas was conferred with many awards and honours. He was married to late Smt. Suvra Mukherjee, an accomplished artist & singer of Rabindra Sangeet and has two sons and a daughter.

With a strong academic background, he held a Master’s degree in History and Political Science and a Law degree from University of Kolkata. He started his professional journey as a college teacher and journalist and entered full-time public life in 1969 following his election to the Rajya Sabha.

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Political Journey

Under late PM Indira Gandhi’s careful mentoring, Shri Mukherjee had a rapid growth in his political career. A man of humble origins, Mukherjee was elected to the Rajya Sabha 5 times from 1969 and twice to the Lok Sabha from 2004. He has also served as a member of the Congress Working Committee for 23 years.

Here are some of Mukherjee’s key roles:

Finance Minister of India (1982)

Leader of the House in the Upper House of Parliament (1980-1985)

Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission (1991-1996)

Minister for Commerce (1993-1995)

Minister of External Affairs (1995-1996)

Minister of Defence (2004-2006)

Minister of External Affairs (2006-2009)

Minister of Finance (2009-2012)

Leader of the Lower House of Parliament (2004-2012)

Timeless Quotes

A prolific reader and influential leader, Pranab Mukherjee is widely admired by many. Here are few of his powerful, timeless and inspirational quotes:

“I am comfortable at the height where destiny has put me.”

• “Teaching was my transition from student life to working life. In those days, our system of education was a little different. The number of students in each class was huge. I think in political science general, which I taught, it was around 100.”

• “I personally believe that the office of the President of India is not to be sought. It is to be offered.”

“There is no humiliation more abusive than hunger.”

“My mother used to tell me ‘what is your option? You have no option…if you don’t have an option, don’t grumble and work hard’…”

“A teacher gives himself to the students; the job of a student is to draw as much he can” 

“I used to wrap a coarse towel around my waist. In another coarse towel I would wrap my pant, shirt and books, and tied them to my head.”

“Democracy gives support to common people to fulfil their aspirations and in post independent India we have nurtured democracy”

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