Shri Pranab Mukherjee, the former Union Minister of Finance of United Progressive Alliance for 3 years, was elected the President of India on 22nd July, 2012. He was sworn in by the Chief Justice of India as the new President on July 25th, 2012 replacing Shrimati Pratibha Patil. He won the election by 713,763 votes beating P.A. Sangama by a nearly 50% majority. He has is the first Bengali to become India’s President. He holds a big responsibility of protecting and defending the Indian Constitution.
He was born in Mirati in a Bengali family of Bengal. His parents were K.K. Mukherjee, a revolutionary during India’s Pre-independence days and his mother was Rajlakshmi Mukherjee. He studied in Birbhum and the University of Calcutta. He started his career as a clerk in the Deputy Accountant General’s office in Calcutta. Alongside, he was a teacher in the college he studied and also a journalist. He has written many books, namely, Beyond Survival, Midterm Poll, Challenge before the Nation, Off the Track, Saga of Struggle and Sacrifice and a few more.
His political career started in 1969 when he joined the Indian National Conference. Late Shrimati Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India recognized his talents and made him a member of his party. She called him a ‘Man of all Seasons’. He was elected the Union Minister of Industrial Development in her Cabinet. From there, there was no looking back and he rose higher in his political career. In 1982, he became the Finance Minister. He became the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission in 1991 upto 1996. He has taken care of the Defence Ministry, Finance, Commerce and External Affairs.
He is married to Shrimati Suvra Mukherjee and has 2 sons and a daughter from her. He maintains the family tradition of celebrating Durga Puja in his native village, Mirati every year. He holds the Padma Vibhushan award and many more.
India is proud to have such a learned and experienced politician as its President and Welcomes him with all their hearts.
