Pranab Mukherjee (25 July 2012-25 July 2017)
Pranab Mukherjee assumed the office of the President of India, on 25th July 2012. He became the President of India after four decades of political life, and is the first Bengali to hold this office.
Pranab Mukherjee was often known as the walking encyclopaedia. He held many important positions. He served as the finance minister of India from 2009 to 2012, before becoming the president. He was a senior leader of the Indian National Congress.
Pranab Mukherjee was born on 11th December 1935 in Mirati in West Bengal. He earned an MA degree in Political Science and History. He then furthered his education, and received an LLB degree from the University of Calcutta. He later worked as a teacher and a journalist. He ventured into politics and later became a member of the Rajya Sabha.
Pranab Mukherjee held various cabinet posts in different union ministries. He also had the distinction of being the minister for various high-profile ministries including defence, finance, and external affairs in various governments. As finance minister, Mukherjee signed the letter appointing Manmohan Singh as the governor of the Reserve Bank of India, who later became the prime minister of India.
Mukherjee was nominated as a presidential candidate of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) in June, 2012. He comfortably defeated PA Sangma, his opponent, by winning 70 per cent of the electoral-college votes. He was sworn in as the President of India on 25th July 2012 and held the office till 25th July 2017. After completion of his tenure as the president, Pranab Mukherjee didn’t intend to stand for a second term, owing to his failing health.
He was also a noted author, and has written many books including Off the Track, Challenges before the Nation, The coalition Years and The Presidential Years.
Pranab Mukherjee was known to be a compulsive workaholic. He worked for almost 18 hours a day, and hardly took any days off, except for his visit to Mirati, his hometown, during the Durga Puja. In 2008, he was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan.
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