PM Modi Honors Pranab Mukherjee's Legacy: Remembering India's Towering Statesman on His Birth Anniversary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored the memory of former President Pranab Mukherjee on his birth anniversary, recognizing him as a "towering statesman" whose lifetime of national service has left a permanent mark on India's democratic framework.

Born December 11, 1935, into a Bengali family, Pranab Mukherjee evolved into one of India's most esteemed political figures. He served as the nation's President from 2012 to 2017, becoming the first person from West Bengal to hold India's highest constitutional position.

In his tribute shared on social media platform X, PM Modi stated, "Tributes to Shri Pranab Mukherjee on his birth anniversary. A towering statesman and a scholar of exceptional depth, he served India with unwavering dedication across decades of public life. Pranab Babu's intellect and clarity of thought enriched our democracy at every step. It's a privilege that I got to learn so much from him over the many years we interacted."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also offered his respects, highlighting that the former President's legacy would continue to guide India's democratic principles. "Tributes to former President of India Pranab Mukherjee Ji on his Jayanti. A leader dedicated to public service, Mukherjee Ji's profound understanding of the constitution defined his tenures in public offices. His life and works will continue to inspire our democratic journey," Shah expressed on X.

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda joined in honoring Mukherjee, saying, "My heartfelt tributes to Bharat Ratna Shri Pranab Mukherjee Ji on his Jayanti. His long journey in public service shaped India in many meaningful ways." Nadda further noted that Mukherjee's "humility, vast knowledge and significant contributions" influenced countless lives and would inspire future generations committed to India's advancement.

Throughout his distinguished career, Pranab Mukherjee held numerous crucial portfolios, serving at various times as Finance, Defence, Commerce and External Affairs Minister. He was elected to the Rajya Sabha five times beginning in 1969 and to the Lok Sabha twice between 2004 and 2012. For 23 years, he was an integral part of the Congress Working Committee, the party's highest decision-making body.

Between 2004 and 2012, Mukherjee was central to developing landmark policy decisions regarding administrative reforms, the Right to Information, the Right to Employment, food and energy security, expansion of IT and telecommunications, and the establishment of the UIDAI and Metro Rail network.

During his earlier career in the 1970s and 1980s, he played a pivotal role in creating Regional Rural Banks in 1975, followed by the EXIM Bank of India and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development between 1981 and 1982.