Pranab Mukherjee was a distinguished Indian statesman, parliamentarian, and administrator who played a pivotal role in shaping modern India’s political and economic policies. He was born on 11 December 1935 in Mirati village, Birbhum district, West Bengal.
Pranab Mukherjee began his political career in the 1960s and soon emerged as a key strategist and troubleshooter within the Indian National Congress. Over a long and illustrious career spanning five decades, he held several crucial ministerial portfolios, including Finance, Defence, External Affairs, and Commerce & Industry. He is especially remembered for his multiple tenures as Finance Minister, during which he presented numerous Union Budgets and steered the economy through challenging periods.
In 2012, Pranab Mukherjee was elected as the 13th President of India. His presidency (2012–2017) was marked by dignity, constitutional propriety, and deep respect for democratic institutions. Known as a scholar of the Constitution, he emphasized the importance of Parliament, dialogue, and consensus in a diverse democracy like India.
Apart from politics, Pranab Mukherjee was a prolific writer and thinker, with a keen interest in history and public policy. He was widely respected across party lines for his intellect, experience, and statesmanship.
Pranab Mukherjee passed away on 31 August 2020. In recognition of his exceptional service to the nation, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2019. He is remembered as a towering figure in Indian public life—an architect of governance, a guardian of the Constitution, and a statesman par excellence.