Pranab Mukherjee Birthday: Some Lesser Known Facts About The Former President

Pranab Mukherjee, the former President of India and a versatile Politician of his time, was born on this day, December 11, 1935 at Mirati Village (Now in West Bengal), Birbhum District. He was sworn in as the 13th President of India on June 15, 2012 and served from 2012-2017 at this post. Mukherjee earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Suri Vidyasagar College and subsequently earned M.A. degree in Political Science & History and LL.B., from the University of Calcutta.  

Here are some lesser known facts about Pranab Mukherjee, the Former President of India  

Pranab’s political career took the most important turn when he successfully managed the Midnapore-by-election campaign of V. K. Krishna Menon in the year 1969. His talent was recognized by the then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, who recruited him to her party. Further, he went on to become the Rajya Sabha Member in July 1969 and was re-elected to the house in 1975, 1981, 1993 and 1999. 

His versatility and rich political experience led him to head various committees of Ministeries in the Government. Mukherjee is also the only Minister to have handled four important ministries of Commerce, Defence, External Affairs and Finance.  

It is interesting to know that other than getting established as an expert diplomat, veteran politician and government official, he worked as a professor at Vidyanagar College in 1963 where he use to teach Political Science.  

It’s during the time of Durga Puja, Mukherjee pays a visit to his ancestral home in Mirati village every year where he takes part in the four-day ritual and celebrates the occasion with the people of the area.  

Other than holding various Political and government posts, Pranab Mukherjee was also the Chairman of Indian Statistical Institute in Kolkata. Besides, he was the President and former chairman of the Rabindra Bharati University, and was the former trustee of the Bidhan Memorial Trust and Bangiya Sahitya Parishad.