Tag Archives: pranab mukherjee

Pranab Da is no more, country mourns; ‘End of an Era’

Posted on by
Reply

Former President Pranab Mukherjee died on Monday evening, his son Abhijit Mukherjee said in a tweet. He was admitted at the Army Research and Referral Hospital 21 days ago after his condition deteriorated following a brain surgery.

Abhijit Mukherjee tweeted: “With a Heavy Heart, this is to inform you that my father Pranab Mukherjee has just passed away in spite of the best efforts of Doctors of RR Hospital and prayers, duas and prarthanas from people throughout India! I thank all of You.”

Pranab Mukherjee was admitted to the hospital at 12.07 p.m. on August 10 in a critical condition. The veteran Congress leader was on life support for nearly three weeks. His former party colleagues along with former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi paid rich tributes to the 84-year-old leader.

The Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi greeting the President, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, on the occasion of New Year, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on January 01, 2017 (PIB Photo)

Known as Pranab Da for many, he was President of India from 2012 to 2017. He was conferred the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award, in 2019 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008.

“With great sadness, the nation receives the news of the unfortunate demise of our former President Pranab Mukherjee. I join the country in paying homage to him. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family and friends,” Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

‘End of an Era’

The Congress on its official Twitter handle, said: “We are deeply pained by the passing of Pranab Mukherjee. Former President of India and one of the tallest leaders of the Congress Party, Pranab Mukherjee will always be remembered for his integrity and compassion. Our prayers are with his family, followers and the nation.”

Congress national media in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, said the death of the veteran Congress leader, said, “An era has come to an end. Your thoughts, memories and sense of commitment to the party, the people and the nation lives on… Rest in Peace Pranab Da,” Surjewala tweeted.

“Deeply saddened at the demise of former President of India, Pranab Mukherjee. The nation has lost a great leader, thinker and statesman. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the nation. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and supporters. May his soul rest in peace,” another veteran Congress leader and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot tweeted.

 

President Mukherjee Remembers Life as MP at Farewell, Thanks Modi

Posted on by
Reply

The President of India, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee was given a grand farewell at Central Hall of the Parliament on Sunday, July 23, 2017, where he remebred fondly his 37 years as a member of parliament before taking up the office of President.

The President said that as he retired from the Office of the President of the Republic, his association with the Parliament also comes to an end. He will no longer be a part of the Parliament of India. He stated he was leaving with a sense of fulfilment and happiness of having served the people of this great country through this institution- as their humble servant.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that for 37 years he served as a Member of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Listening to the stalwarts for hours and days in Parliament sitting in the Treasury or Opposition Benches, he felt one with the soul of this living institution. He understood the real value of debate, discussion and dissent.

He realized how disruption hurts the opposition more than the government as it denies them the opportunity to raise the concerns of the people. It was unfortunate that the parliamentary time devoted to legislation has been declining. With the heightened complexity of administration, legislation must be preceded by scrutiny and adequate discussion.

Scrutiny in committees is no substitute to open discussion on the floor of the House. When the Parliament fails to discharge its law-making role or enacts laws without discussion, it breaches the trust reposed in it by the people of this great country. He stated that the recent passage of Goods and Services Tax and its launch on 1st July is a shining example of co-operative federalism and speaks volumes for the maturity of Indian Parliament.

The President said that it was in July 2012 that his membership in Lok Sabha came to an end when he was declared as the 13th President of the Republic. Even though thirty-seven years of his life in Parliament came to an end on that day but he still continued to have a tenacious link with this institution, in fact he became an integral part of it, as President of Republic, as per the Constitution.

In these five years, his principal responsibility was to function as the guardian of the Constitution. As he had said on oath, he strived to preserve, protect and defend our Constitution, not just in word but also in spirit. In this task, he said he was greatly benefitted from the advice and co-operation extended by Prime Minister Modi at every step.

With passion and energy, he is driving transformational changes in the country. He would carry with him fond memories of their association and his warm and courteous behaviour, said the President.

Mr Ram Nath Kovind will take over as the next President of India on Monday.

Shri Rajnath Singh condoles Amarnath Yatra bus accident victims

Posted on by
Reply
The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh has expressed deep condolences over the loss of lives in a bus accident carrying Amarnath Yatris in Jammu and Kashmir. “My heart goes out to the families of Amarnath Yatris who lost their loved ones in the bus accident. My prayers are with the injured,” he said.

Shri Rajnath Singh spoke to J&K Chief Minister Ms. Mehbooba Mufti regarding the unfortunate accident of the bus near Ramban. She apprised the Union Home Minister of the ongoing rescue operations. Shri Rajnath Singh also had a telephonic conversation with the J&K Governor Shri NN Vohra who has reached the accident site. He apprised the Union Home Minister of the situation.

The bus carrying 45 pilgrims from Jammu to Srinagar rolled down a mountain at Nachala, Under Police Station Ramsu at Banihal, Ramban. As confirmed by SSP Ramban, in this accident 16 pilgrims died and 29 got injured. 18 injured have been airlifted to Government Medical College & Hospital, Jammu by chopper, the remaining 11 with minor injuries left for Srinagar by road. Helpline numbers to enquire about Amarnath Yatris travelling in the bus that met with accident in Ramban, J&K. 16 killed, 29 injured as bus rolled down near Ramban.

President of India receives first copy of book ‘President’s Lady’

Posted on by
Reply

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee received the first copy of the book “President’s Lady” (Pranaber Preyosi) on his wife Late Smt. Suvra Mukherjee today (July 13, 2017) from Vice President of India, Mohd. Hamid Ansari who formally released it at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that he was grateful to Ms. Sangeeta Ghosh, author of the book and all those who have brought out the publication. He said that Late Smt. Suvra Mukherjee was essentially a private person with a strong interest in music (particularly Tagore music) and paintings.

He said that she was not into politics but came to know a large number of political personalities. However, she confined herself to music, painting and writing. She tried to take Tagore music to a non-Bengali audience. He wished those who brought out the book the very best for their future endeavours.

IFS Officer Trainees Call on President in Rashtrapati Bhavan

Posted on by
Reply
A group of Officer Trainees of the 2016 batch of the Indian Foreign Service called on the President of India, Mr Pranab Mukherjee today (June 1, 2017) at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Addressing the Officer Trainees, the President congratulated them for choosing the Civil Services as a career. He said that as they had chosen to serve their country as its diplomatic representatives it was important for them to remember that it was India that brought the gift of the greatest concept of universal acceptance to the world; it gave the slogan of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam to humanity.

He stated that the Foreign Service offers them the unique opportunity and privilege to represent the country and project its civilizational and cultural heritage and interact with counterparts the world over – for achieving her developmental goals.

The President said that a diplomat is required to always be well informed on the widest range of relevant subjects. He or she needs to have a thorough knowledge of the economic and social dynamics of their country and also remain aware and alert about the areas in which India could engage with other countries for the benefit of its people.

The President said that it is important to cultivate a deep interest and understanding of the countries where they are posted in order to explore all opportunities for strengthening India’s bilateral relations with its Government and people. He said that they must always remember that they are representatives of India, one of the oldest civilizations of the world which taught people how to live together, develop together and advance together.

What President of India Said on Demonetisation?

Posted on by
Reply

In his New Year message to Governors and Lt. Governors, President Pranab Mukherjee on January 5, 2017 clearly indicated his unhappiness over the slowdown it will have on Indian economy though he termed it temporary. The message is a clear signal that the President, also former finance minister himself, is unhappy at the prolonged impact on people, who are not soldiers but citizens of the country.

He gave an advice to the centre over its adventure towards demonetisation.

Poor people need to fill their stomachs first and then roped in our long march towards transition to entrepreneurial approach. In his refined words, it read:  “We all will have to be extra careful to alleviate the suffering of the poor which might become unavoidable for the expected progress in the long term.”
The President said while he appreciates the thrust on transition from entitlement approach to an entrepreneurial one for poverty alleviation, he is not too sure that the poor can wait that long. “They need to get succour here and now, so that they can also participate actively in the national march towards a future devoid of hunger, unemployment and exploitation,” he said.
In addition, the President pondered over the state assembly elections in as many as seven states in 2017 as the dates for elections in five states have already been announced. “Elections reflect the attitudes, values and beliefs of the people towards their political environment. They symbolize the sovereignty of the people and provide legitimacy to the authority of the government. They also serve the purpose of regulation of public policies and mobilization of public opinion,” he noted hinting at the outcome in these elections would be the vox populi on demonetisation.
The President advised Governors and Lt. Governors to play an important role in easing the tensions in the society. Goodwill must prevail between different communities. “In a pluralistic democracy like ours, tolerance, respect for contrary views and patience are a must. These values have to be preserved. The multiplicity in culture, faith and language is what makes India special. Governors/Lt. Governors can, through their calm influence, inculcate amongst the citizens of their state this fundamental ethos of our civilization,” he said.