Pranab Mukherjee: The other side of this great congress Stalwart who penned salient books

Shri Pranab Kumar Mukherjee, who served as the former President of India was born on 11th December 1935 in Mirati, West Bengal. He is a great politician and served for Congress party with all his efforts. He was loyal to this party from decades and this made him get elected to the President post. He served as the first citizen of India from (2012-2017). In 2019, this former President of India was awarded prestigious Bharat Ratna award by Ramnath Kovind.

Mukherjee made his entry into politics at a very young age. Taking inspiration from his father Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee, Pranab joined politics. He completed his degree at Suri Vidyasagar College and then also earned an advanced degree in history and political science from the University of Calcutta. Then he first worked as a lecturer in a small college near Calcutta and then slowly turned editor for a Bengali-language monthly periodical.

Mukherjee first got his breakthrough in politics in 1969 as he was elected to Rajya Sabha member of the Bangla Congress. This party soon merged into Indian National Congress party and thus Pranab got a chance to continue in Rajya Sabha for four terms. Then in 2004, he came for the direct elections and contested for Lok Sabha. Pranab ji got a chance to hold several ministries under Indira Gandhi government. From 1966-77 he holded the position of protégé to Indira Gandhi. In 1982, he went on to become the Finance Minister of India. But then in 1984 after the assassination of Indira Gandhi he couldn't maintain good relation with Rajiv Gandhi thus slowly he was subsided from the party. He came out of the party and formed a small party but again he merged it into INC in 1989.

Then in 1991 after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, his luck is back and then again became the strongest member of the party. Under the leadership of PV Narasimha Rao, he held main cabinet portfolios. Pranab worked as head of following portfolios: commerce (1993–95), external affairs (1995–96 and 2006–09), defense (2004–06) and finance (2009–12). He also occupied several important legislative posts, including leader of the Rajya Sabha (1980–84), Congress Party whip in the upper house (1996–2004) and leader of the Lok Sabha (2004–12).

Pranab Mukherjee is also a great writer. He penned a few awesome books and made us get introduced with his writing skills through these books:

The Coalition Years

This book makes us know the highs and lows of the journey of the nation's political history beginning from 1996. It also concentrates of politics post-Congress era after it gets defeated in the hands of BJP in 1996 general elections. Finally, one can read this book to know the insightful account of the larger governance phenomenon in India.

The Dramatic Decade: The Indira Gandhi Years

This book is all about the fascinating period of Congress party during the decade of 1970s. India witnessed one of the strongest woman power and she made the country know the actual meaning of democracy and liberty by giving full support to East Pakistan and its Independence struggle. Later in the emergency period, Indira Gandhi also curbed the freedom from the hands of the people made them found no way for personal expression. This book shows off how Indira Gandhi emerged as a great leader and how her pride fell weak during emergency time.

The Turbulent Years: 1980 - 1996

This book makes all of us know about the strong economic decisions which were taken by the Indian Government in the 1980s. It was when India turned into modern India through all the economic policies. Along with Sanjay Gandhi's death incident, Pranab ji also covered the assassination time of Indira Gandhi. Then comes the legendary PV Narasimha Rao who turned Indian economic situation… Pranab describes the rise of PV and his describes famous operations from Operation 'Blue Star' to the Babri Masjid riots.

Congress and the Making of the Indian Nation (Set of 2 Vols)

This book makes us know the short history of the Indian National Congress party and has 2 volumes. This book gives us a glimpse of Congress party journey over the past 125 years. The glorious phase to down phase, Pranab Ji described how the party made its impression in people's heart. Even all the internal and external pressures along with the challenges faced in the course of time are also listed down.

Thoughts and Reflections

Thoughts and Reflections is one of the salient books of Pranab Mukherjee, which is a collection of views on a range of subjects right from democracy and its institutions to education and innovation, from economic policy to the nation's security. It presents the hopes of a young populationband focusses on aspirations of a country in becoming a global economic power. These quotes of a statesman, visionary and the First Citizen of the Republic find resonance with an India of over a billion dreams.