Pranab Mukherjee Explained

Order:13th
Office:President of India
Predecessor:Pratibha Patil
Successor:Ram Nath Kovind
Vicepresident:Mohammad Hamid Ansari
Predecessor2:R. Venkataraman
Party:Indian National Congress
(1972–1986; 1989–2020)
Office1:Minister of Finance
Predecessor1:Manmohan Singh
Primeminister1:Manmohan Singh
Successor1:Manmohan Singh
Successor2:V. P. Singh
Birth Date:1935 12, df=yes
Native Name Lang:bn
Birth Place:Mirati, Bengal Presidency, British India
(present-day West Bengal, India)
Death Place:New Delhi, India
Children:3, including
Alma Mater:University of Calcutta
(BA, MA, LL.B.)
Nationality:Indian
Awards:Bharat Ratna (2019)[1]
Padma Vibhushan (2008)
Term Start:25 July 2012
Term End:25 July 2017
Term Start1:24 January 2009
Term End1:26 June 2012
Term Start2:5 January 1982
Term End2:31 December 1984
Office3:Minister of Defence
Primeminister3:Manmohan Singh
Term Start3:22 May 2004
Term End3:26 October 2006
Predecessor3:George Fernandes
Successor3:A. K. Antony
Office4:Minister of External Affairs
Primeminister4:Manmohan Singh
Term Start4:24 October 2006
Term End4:22 May 2009
Predecessor4:Manmohan Singh (acting)
Successor4:S. M. Krishna
Primeminister5:P. V. Narasimha Rao
Term Start5:10 February 1995
Term End5:16 May 1996
Predecessor5:Dinesh Singh
Successor5:Sikander Bakht
Office6:15th Leader of the Lok Sabha
Term Start6:22 May 2004
Term End6:26 June 2012
Predecessor6:Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Successor6:Sushilkumar Shinde
Office7:Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission
Primeminister7:P. V. Narasimha Rao
Term Start7:24 June 1991
Term End7:15 May 1996
Predecessor7:Mohan Dharia
Successor7:Madhu Dandavate
Office8:14th Leader of the Rajya Sabha
Term Start8:January 1980
Term End8:31 December 1984
Predecessor8:K. C. Pant
Successor8:V. P. Singh
Office9:Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
Term Start9:10 May 2004
Term End9:26 June 2012
Constituency9:Jangipur
Predecessor9:Abul Hasnat Khan
Successor9:Abhijit Mukherjee
Office10:Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
Term Start10:10 July 1969
Term End10:10 July 1981
Constituency10:West Bengal
Term Start11:14 August 1981
Term End11:13 August 1987
Constituency11:Gujarat

Pranab Mukherjee (11 December 1935 – 31 August 2020) was an Indian politician who served as the 13th president of India from 2012 until 2017. He was the first person from West Bengal to hold the post of President of India. In a political career spanning five decades, Mukherjee was a senior leader in the Indian National Congress and occupied several ministerial portfolios in the Government of India.[2] Prior to his election as President, Mukherjee was Finance Minister from 2009 to 2012. He was awarded India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 2019, by his successor as president, Ram Nath Kovind.[3]

Mukherjee got his break in politics in 1969 when the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi helped him get elected to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament of India, on a Congress ticket.[4] Following a meteoric rise, he became one of Gandhi's most trusted lieutenants and a minister in her cabinet in 1973. Mukherjee's service in a number of ministerial capacities culminated in his first stint as Finance Minister of India in 1982–84. He was also the Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha from 1980 to 1985.[5]

Mukherjee was sidelined from Congress during the premiership of Rajiv Gandhi. Mukherjee had viewed himself and not the inexperienced Rajiv, as the rightful successor to Indira following her assassination in 1984. Mukherjee lost out in the ensuing power struggle. He formed his own party, the Rashtriya Samajwadi Congress, which merged with Congress in 1989 after reaching a consensus with Rajiv Gandhi.[6] After Rajiv Gandhi's assassination in 1991, Mukherjee's political career was revived when Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao appointed him Planning Commission head in 1991 and foreign minister in 1995. Following this, as an elder statesman of Congress, Mukherjee was the principal architect of Sonia Gandhi's ascent to the party's presidency in 1998.

When the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) came to power in 2004, Mukherjee won a Lok Sabha (the popularly elected lower house of Parliament) seat for the first time. From then until his resignation in 2012, he held a number of key cabinet portfolios in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's governmentDefence (2004–06), External Affairs (2006–09), and Finance (2009–12)apart from heading several Groups of Ministers (GoMs) and being Leader of the House in the Lok Sabha.[7] After securing the UPA's nomination for the country's presidency in July 2012, Mukherjee comfortably defeated P. A. Sangma of NDA in the 2012 Indian presidential election, winning 70 per cent of the electoral-college vote.[8]

In 2017, Mukherjee decided not to run for re-election and to retire from politics after leaving the presidency due to "health complications relating to old age." His term expired on 25 July 2017.[9] [10] [11] He was succeeded as president by Ram Nath Kovind. In June 2018, Mukherjee became the first former President of India to address a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) event.[12]

Early life and education

Pranab Mukherjee was born on 11 December 1935 during the British Colonial rule,[13] into a Bengali Brahmin family in Mirati, a village in the Bengal Presidency (now in Birbhum district, West Bengal).[14] His father, Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee, was active participant in the Indian independence movement and was a member of the West Bengal Legislative Council between 1952 and 1964 as a representative of the Indian National Congress; he was also a member of AICC. His mother was Rajlakshmi Mukherjee.[15] [16] [17] He had two siblings: older sister Annapurna Banarjee (1928–2020) and older brother Piyush Mukherjee (1931–2017).[18]

Mukherjee attended Suri Vidyasagar College in Suri (Birbhum), which was then affiliated to the University of Calcutta.[19] He subsequently earned an MA degree in political science and history and an LL.B. degree, both from the University of Calcutta

He was an upper-division Clerk in the Office of the Deputy Accountant-General (Post and Telegraph) in Calcutta. In 1963, he became a lecturer (Assistant Professor) of Political Science at Vidyanagar College, affiliated to the University of Calcutta[20] [21] and he also worked as a journalist at Desher Dak (Call of the Motherland) before entering politics.[22]

Political career

Mukherjee started his political career in 1967 as a founding member of the Bangla Congress. Ahead of the 1967 election, he played a crucial role in forging the United Front alliance against the Indian National Congress. In 1969, he managed the successful Midnapore by-election campaign of an independent candidate, V. K. Krishna Menon. He became a member of the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of Indian parliament) in July 1969 on a Bangla Congress ticket.[23] Mukherjee soon became the medium of exchanging confidential notes between Indira Gandhi and Ajoy Mukherjee.[24] In 1972, Indira Gandhi recruited him to the Indian National Congress along with merging the Bangla Congress into the party.[25] Mukherjee was re-elected to the house in 1975, 1981, 1993, and 1999.[19]

He became a Gandhi loyalist and was often described as her "man for all seasons."[26] Mukherjee's rise was rapid in the early phase of his career and he was appointed Union Deputy Minister of Industrial Development in Indira Gandhi's cabinet in 1973. He was active in the Indian cabinet during the controversial Internal Emergency of 1975–77. Ruling Congress politicians of the day including Mukherjee were accused of using extra-constitutional powers to "wreck established norms and rules of governance". Following Congress's defeat in the 1977 general elections, the newly formed Janata government-appointed Shah Commission indicted Mukherjee; however, the commission was itself indicted in 1979 for stepping "outside its jurisdiction". Mukherjee emerged unscathed and rose through a series of cabinet posts to become Finance Minister from 1982 to 1984.[27] [28]

His term was noted for his work in improving the finances of the government, which enabled Gandhi to score a political point by returning the last instalment of India's first IMF loan.[29] As Finance Minister, Mukherjee signed the letter appointing Manmohan Singh as Governor of the Reserve Bank of India.[25]

In 1979, Mukherjee became Deputy Leader of the INC in the Rajya Sabha, and in 1980, he was appointed Leader of the House.[19] He was considered the top-ranking Indian cabinet minister and he presided over cabinet meetings in the absence of the Prime Minister.[30]

Mukherjee was sidelined from the INC following the assassination of Indira Gandhi. Although he was much more experienced in politics than Indira's son, Rajiv Gandhi, it was Rajiv who gained control. Mukherjee lost his position in the cabinet and was sent to manage the regional West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee. He was considered to be Indira's likely successor and, siding with those within his party who aligned themselves against Rajiv Gandhi, Mukherjee was sidelined and eventually expelled from the mainstream.[26] [31]

In 1986, Mukherjee founded another party, the Rashtriya Samajwadi Congress (RSC), in West Bengal. The RSC and INC merged three years later after a compromise was reached with Rajiv Gandhi. The RSC had fared terribly in the 1987 Assembly polls in West Bengal. Many analysts, over the years, have attributed the muting of Mukherjee's political aspirations as the supreme leader to his inability to emerge as a magnetic mass leader.[26] On later being asked whether he ever desired to become Prime Minister, Mukherjee replied, "7 RCR was never my destination."[32] Zee News noted: "The statement assumes heft in the light of the longstanding speculation that Mukherjee, as one of the doyens of Congress, always nursed an ambition to occupy the top executive post".[32]

Mukherjee's political career revived following the Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991, when P. V. Narasimha Rao chose to appoint him as deputy chairman of the Indian Planning Commission and subsequently as a union cabinet minister. He served as External Affairs Minister from 1995 to 1996 in Rao's cabinet.[19]

Mukherjee was considered to be a Gandhi family loyalist and the principal architect of Sonia Gandhi's entry into politics, a mentoring responsibility he was believed to have continued shouldering.[26] He was made General Secretary of the AICC in 1998–99 after Sonia Gandhi became Congress President. Mukherjee was made President of the West Bengal Congress in 2000 and held the position until his resignation in 2008. He had earlier held the position in 1985.[16]

Mukherjee became Leader of the House in the Lok Sabha in 2004.[19] He contested and won a Lok Sabha seat from Jangipur in West Bengal, which he would later retain in 2009. It was speculated in 2004 that Mukherjee would be made Prime Minister of India after Sonia Gandhi declined to become Prime Minister; however, Manmohan Singh was chosen instead.[33]

Mukherjee was briefly considered for the post of the largely ceremonial Indian presidency in 2007, but his name was subsequently dropped after his contribution to the Union Cabinet was considered practically indispensable.[31]

He held many important posts in the Manmohan Singh government: He had the distinction of being the minister for various high-profile ministries, including Defence, Finance, and External Affairs. Apart from being Leader of the House in the Lok Sabha and Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee President,[19] he also headed the Congress Parliamentary Party and the Congress Legislative Party, which consist of all the Congress MP's and MLA's in the country.

Mukherjee ended his affiliation with the Indian National Congress and retired from active political life following his election as president in 2012. The Economic Times had noted: "[the] decades of activity in critical all-rounder roles make [Mukherjee's] exit both a structural and generation shift. With him, the last of the Congress triumviratealong with Rao and R. Venkataramanwho formed the core team of Indira/Rajiv regimes bows out. While Rao became PM, Pranab's political marathon too ends where Venkataraman's did, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan".[34]

Political party role

Mukherjee was "very well respected within the party social circles".[35] Media accounts describe him as having "a reputation as a number-crunching politician with a phenomenal memory and an unerring survival instinct".[36]

He became a member of the Congress Working Committee on 27 January 1978. He also became a member of the Central Parliamentary Board of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) that year. Mukherjee briefly held the position of treasurer of the AICC and the Congress party in 1978.[16]

He was appointed chairman of the Campaign Committee of the AICC for conducting National Elections to Parliament in 1984, 1991, 1996, and 1998. He was chairman of the Central Election Coordination Committee of the AICC from 28 June 1999 to 2012. He was appointed to the Central Election Committee on 12 December 2001. Mukherjee was appointed General Secretary of the AICC in 1998.[16] In 1997, he was voted Outstanding Parliamentarian by the Indian Parliamentary Group.[37]

After Sonia Gandhi reluctantly agreed to join politics, Mukherjee was one of her mentors, guiding her through difficult situations with examples of how her mother-in-law, Indira Gandhi, would have done things.[38] His talents were on display during the negotiations for the Patents Amendment Bill in early 2005. Congress was committed to passing an IP bill, but their allies in the United Progressive Alliance from the Left front had a long tradition of opposing some of the monopoly aspects of intellectual property. Mukherjee, as Defence Minister, was not formally involved but was roped in for his negotiation skills. He drew on many old allies including the CPI-M leader Jyoti Basu (former Chief Minister of West Bengal), and formed new intermediary positions, which included product patents. Then, he had to convince his own colleagues, including commerce minister Kamal Nath, who at one point said..."An imperfect legislation is better than no legislation".[39] Finally, on 23 March 2005, the bill was approved.

India Today wrote that Mukherjee's role in "skillfully pushing through the historic 123 Agreement and treaty with the Nuclear Suppliers Group" may have saved the UPA-II government from the 2008 motion of no confidence.[40]

Mukherjee played a crucial role in steering the Cabinet pre-Lok Sabha elections when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh underwent a heart bypass surgery in 2008–09 by taking additional charges as chairman of the Cabinet Committee of Political Affairs and Union Minister in the Finance Ministry despite already being Union Minister of External Affairs.[41]

Mukherjee's political skills and long experience in government have also led him to head a large number of committees of ministers in the government. At the time of his resignation, on being nominated as the UPA's presidential candidate, Mukherjee was heading several Groups of Ministers (GoMs) and Empowered Groups of Ministers (EGoMs).[42] [43]

Union Cabinet Minister

Minister of Defence

Manmohan Singh appointed Mukherjee as the Minister of Defence of India when the Congress Party once again came to power in 2004. Mukherjee held the post until 2006. He expanded cooperation with the United States during his tenure. The Times of India reported on the United States diplomatic cables leak release and noted how the U.S. was full of praise for the "uniformed leadership" of Indian armed forces. In June 2005, Mukherjee inked the ten-year Indo-US Defence Framework deal.[44]

Despite increasing co-operation with the United States, Mukherjee maintained that Russia would remain India's 'topmost' defence partner. He asserted that "Russia has been and will remain India's largest defence partner in the years to come" while inaugurating the 5th session of the Indo-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) in Moscow in 2005.[45]

Russia and India held their first joint anti-terror war games in Rajasthan in October 2005, during which Mukherjee and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov narrowly escaped injury after a heavy mortar landed several metres from their platform.[46] The Russian ministry subsequently declared its hopes to follow up joint military exercises in India with further joint exercises on Russian territory.[46]

Minister of External Affairs

Mukherjee was appointed External Affairs Minister of India in 1995. Under his leadership, India was made "Full Dialogue Partner" of ASEAN as part of the Look East foreign policy initiated by Narasimha Rao. Mukherjee left the position in 1996.[47] [48]

His second term began in 2006. He oversaw the successful signing of the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Agreement with the U.S. government and then with the Nuclear Suppliers Group, allowing India to participate in civilian nuclear trade in spite of not having signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Mukherjee played a crucial role in mobilising world opinion against Pakistan after the 2008 Mumbai attacks. He left the position a year later to take over the Finance Ministry of India.[22]

When asked what legacy he wanted to leave behind as Foreign Minister of India, Mukherjee replied, "As the [man] who prepared Indian diplomacy to address the challenges of a more globalised, interdependent and uncertain world".[40]

Minister of Commerce and Industry

Mukherjee thrice served as Commerce Minister of India. His first stints were in the Indira Gandhi government from 1980 to 1982 and again in 1984.[19] His third stint in the 1990s saw him contribute significantly to the negotiations which led to the establishment of the World Trade Organization.[22]

Minister of Finance

Mukherjee's first stint as the Finance Minister of India was during the Indira Gandhi government in 1982. He presented his first annual budget in 1982–83. His first term was noted for the work he did to improve the finances of the government and for successfully returning the last instalment of India's first IMF loan.[29] Mukherjee signed the letter appointing Manmohan Singh as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India in 1982.[25] He was accused of patronage practices in the Ambani–Wadia industrial feuds.[49]

Mukherjee was credited with being an early reformer of the Indian economy. India Today wrote: "Operation Forward, which [Mukherjee] and then Industries Minister Charanjit Chanana launched in the early 1980s, started the liberalisation process that flowered under Rao and Manmohan Singh".[40] A Left-wing magazine once commented that "socialism did not grow out of the pipe Mukherjee smoked".[40]

Mukherjee was removed from his position as Finance Minister by Rajiv Gandhi in 1984. Gandhi had wished to bring in his own team of staff to govern India.[34] Mukherjee was replaced even though he was rated as the best Finance Minister in the World that year according to a survey by Euromoney magazine.[29]

He returned to handling the finances of India during the premiership of Narasimha Rao, after being appointed Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission.[50] During Mukherjee's tenure of 1991 to 1996, Manmohan Singh as Finance Minister oversaw many economic reforms to end the Licence Raj system and help open the Indian economy.[51]

Mukherjee once again became the Finance Minister of India in 2009. He presented the annual budgets in 2009, 2010, and 2011. The 2010–11 budget included the country's first explicit target to cut public debt as a proportion of the GDP and Mukherjee targeted a budget deficit reduction of 4.1% of the GDP in the fiscal year 2012–13, from 6.5% in 2008–09.

He implemented many tax reforms, including scrapping the Fringe Benefits Tax and the Commodities Transaction Tax.[52] He implemented the Goods and Services Tax during his tenure.[53] These reforms were well received by major corporate executives and economists. The introduction of retrospective taxation, however, has been criticised by some economists.[54]

Mukherjee expanded funding for several social sector schemes including the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. He also supported budget increases for improving literacy and health care. He expanded infrastructure programmes such as the National Highway Development Programme.[55] Electricity coverage was also expanded during his tenure. Mukherjee also reaffirmed his commitment to the principle of fiscal prudence as some economists expressed concern about the rising fiscal deficits during his tenure, the highest since 1991. Mukherjee declared the expansion in government spending was only temporary.[56]

In 2010, he was awarded "Finance Minister of the Year for Asia" by Emerging Markets, the daily newspaper of record for the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Mukherjee was praised for "the confidence [he] has inspired in key stakeholders, by virtue of his fuel price reforms, fiscal transparency and inclusive growth strategies". The Banker also recognised him as "Finance Minister of the Year."

Mukherjee's final years at the finance ministry were not considered a success. The NDTV, upon his resignation in June 2012, wrote: "There [had] been a clamour from many quarters for a change in the Finance Ministry, with Mr Mukherjee having faced flak for several decisions where politics seemed to overwhelm economic imperatives".[57]

Other positions

Mukherjee was chairman of the Indian Statistical Institute in Kolkata. He also held the following posts: chairman and president of the Rabindra Bharati University and the Nikhil Bharat Banga Sahitya Sammelan; trustee of the Bangiya Sahitya Parishad and the Bidhan Memorial Trust. He also served on the Planning Board of the Asiatic Society.[19]

Presidential election

See also: 2012 Indian presidential election.

Pranab Mukherjee
Dipstyle:Hon'ble President[58] Shri Pranab Mukherjee (within India)
Offstyle:President Mukherjee
Altstyle:Mr. President

Mukherjee was nominated as the presidential candidate of the United Progressive Alliance on 15 June 2012 after considerable political intrigue.[59] [60] The elections were scheduled to be conducted on 19 July 2012 and the results were expected to be announced on 22 July 2012. The nominee of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was P. A. Sangma.[61] To file his nomination for the presidential poll on 28 June, Mukherjee resigned from the government on 26 June 2012.[57]

In the election, Mukherjee received 7,13,763 votes, while Sangma had 3,15,987.[62] In his victory speech, delivered outside his residence before the results were officially announced, he said:

Mukherjee was sworn in by the Chief Justice of India on 25 July 2012,[63] becoming the first Bengali to hold the post of President of India.[32] After being administered the oath of office, he stated that we are in the midst of a fourth world war of terror (the third was the Cold war) and what minutes of peace can achieve cannot be achieved in many years of war.[64]

Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh both congratulated Mukherjee on his election as president.[65] Former Communist leader Somnath Chatterjee termed Mukherjee as one of "the best parliamentarians and statesmen of India" and said the country "has got the most able man for the top job".[66] Opposition leader Sharad Yadav declared "the nation needed a president like Pranab Mukherjee".[67] Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit commented and said Mukherjee will be "one of the wisest presidents". She further marvelled at the fact that parties in the opposition ranks supported Mukherjee. "Even the NDA broke up and wanted to vote for the president to be Pranab Mukherjee".[68] The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was reportedly "shocked" and "upset" at the cross-voting for Mukherjee by its legislative members.[69] However, BJP party president Nitin Gadkari congratulated Mukherjee and said "I extend my hearty congratulations to Pranab Mukherjee on his election today as the new President of India". Gadkari further declared "I am sure that the country will make further development and progress. I wish him all success and a bright future".[70] Zee News noted: "What is striking about [Mukherjee] is that after more than four decades in public life, the Opposition had no ammunition against him after he was declared UPA's choice for President. In spite of Team Anna making some noise about him being involved in some corruption cases, it has been more or less an easy ride for Pranab to Raisina Hill. Once when Sonia Gandhi announced his name, most of the allies and the Opposition came on board. Whereas, NDA partner JD(U) saw no merit in opposing him, one of the bitter critics of the Congress Shiv Sena too toed the line a little too easily. This support was not for Congress but for [Mukherjee]".[31]

President of India

Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 was promulgated by Pranab Mukherjee on 3February 2013, providing for the amendment of the Indian Penal Code, Indian Evidence Act, and the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 on laws related to sexual offences.[71] [72] As of July 2015, President Mukherjee had rejected 24 mercy pleas including those of Yakub Memon, Ajmal Kasab, and Afzal Guru.[73] [74] Pranab Mukherjee became first President of India to reply all the mercy petitions in his term for the death row inmates and also replying the petitions of former presidents.[75]

In January 2017, Mukherjee announced that he would not contest the 2017 Presidential elections, citing "advanced age and failing health".[76]

Personal life

Pranab Mukherjee married Suvra Mukherjee on 13 July 1957. Suvra Mukherjee was born at Narail, Bengal Presidency, Present Bangladesh. She moved to Kolkata while she was 10 and married Pranab in 1957.[77] The couple had two sons and a daughter.[19] Suvra died on 18 August 2015, aged 74, of heart failure, while Mukherjee was still in office.[78] Their elder son, Abhijit Mukherjee, was a Congress MP from Jangipur, West Bengal, until 2019. He was elected in a by-election after his father vacated the seat. Before his election to the Lok Sabha, Abhijit was an MLA from Nalhati in Birbhum.[79]

Mukherjee was inspired by Deng Xiaoping and quoted him quite frequently.[80] His hobbies were reading, gardening, and music.

His daughter Sharmistha Mukherjee is a Kathak dancer and politician of the Indian National Congress.[81]

Mukherjee celebrated the Durga Puja at his ancestral home in Mirati village.[82] He used to make it a point to be at Mirati village every year to take part in the four-day rituals, the puja having a "social dimension" for him. "I want to avail this opportunity to be with the people of my area", Mukherjee said during a puja ceremony on 4October 2011.

Illness and death

During the COVID-19 pandemic, on 10 August 2020, Mukherjee announced on Twitter that he had tested positive for COVID-19 prior to a surgery to remove a blood clot in his brain.[83] He was admitted to the hospital after accidentally slipping and falling in his bathroom.[84] [85] He was on ventilator support and in critical condition at the Army's Research and Referral (R&R) hospital in Delhi.[86]

On 13 August, the hospital reported that Mukherjee was in a deep coma after he underwent brain surgery; however, his vital parameters remained stable.[87] [88] On 19 August, the R&R said that Mukherjee's health condition had declined as he had developed a lung infection.[89] On, his renal parameters became "slightly deranged", with the condition worsening days later.[90] [91]

Mukherjee died on 31 August 2020, aged 84, which was confirmed by his son Abhijit Mukherjee via Twitter.[92] [93] His death came after the attending hospital confirmed that his health had deteriorated early that day, stating that he had been in septic shock since a day earlier, which was caused by his lung infection.[94] [95]

Condolences poured in immediately from citizens and political parties of both India and other nations. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi conveyed their condolences via Twitter.[96] [97] [98] The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin,[99] the President of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani,[100] the President of the Maldives, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih,[101] the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina,[102] the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Lotay Tshering, then-Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, and then-Prime Minister of Nepal, K. P. Sharma Oli, were among foreign leaders who paid their respects.[96] [103] [104] Sports players and actors from the country also voiced their sorrow.[105] [106]

The Government of India announced a seven-day period of state mourning between 31 August to 6 September, whereby the national flag would fly at half mast on all buildings wherever it is flown regularly.[107] The West Bengal state government declared a closure of state-run offices for the following day as a mark of respect.[108]

Mukherjee's funeral was held the following day, on 1 September at the Lodhi Road crematorium, with full state honours.[109] His body was brought to the crematorium in a van instead of gun carriage due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in the country. His ashes were immersed into the Ganges river in Haridwar.[110] [111] [112]

In popular culture

Mukherjee appeared in the Indian mock court television talk show Hindi: [[Aap Ki Adalat]] on India TV when he was the Minister of Defence, discussing the UPA government's performance of in the past one year since the 2004 elections.[113]

Honours

State honours

RibbonDecorationCountryDateNoteRef.
Padma Vibhushan India26 January 2008The second-highest civilian honour of India.[114]
Bangladesh Liberation War Honour Bangladesh5 March 2013The second-highest civilian honour of Bangladesh awarded to foreign dignitaries.[115]
National Order of the Ivory Coast14 June 2016 Grand Cross, the highest civilian honour of Ivory Coast. [116]
Order of Makarios III Cyprus28 April 2017Grand Collar, the highest civilian honour of Cyprus.[117]
Bharat Ratna India8 August 2019The highest civilian honour of India.[118]

Academic

Other recognition

Offices held

Pranab Mukherjee's positions in chronological order:[19] [143] [144]

Books written

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bharat Ratna for Pranab Mukherjee, Nanaji Deshmukh and Bhupen Hazarika . Times Now . 25 January 2019 . 25 January 2019 . 31 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133139/https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/bharat-ratna-pranab-mukherjee-bhupen-hazarika-nanaji-deshmukh-ram-nath-kovind-republic-day/354087 . live .
  2. News: In coalition govts, it's difficult to reconcile regional with national interests: Pranab Mukherjee. The Times of India. 19 October 2017. 20 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171020005806/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/in-coalition-govts-its-difficult-to-reconcile-regional-with-national-interests-pranab-mukherjee/articleshow/61139336.cms. live.
  3. News: PTI. 9 August 2019. Bharat Ratna for Pranab Mukherjee fitting recognition for his service to nation: PM Modi. en-IN. The Hindu. live. 4 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201108002455/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bharat-ratna-for-pranab-mukherjee-fitting-recognition-for-his-service-to-nation-pm-modi/article28922094.ece. 8 November 2020. 0971-751X.
  4. Web site: Pranab Mukherjee passes away: A glimpse into Congress stalwart's life – Early Life. 4 December 2020. The Economic Times. 7 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230407104847/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/pranab-mukherjee-passes-away-a-glimpse-into-congress-stalwarts-life/early-life/slideshow/77866966.cms. live.
  5. Web site: Pranab Mukherjee. 4 December 2020. www.goodreads.com. 5 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210705082827/https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/292871.Pranab_Mukherjee. live.
  6. Book: Gujral, Inder Kumar. Matters of Discretion: An Autobiography. Penguin Books Publication. 2011. 978-93-8048-080-0. 56–63. Inder Kumar Gujral. https://web.archive.org/web/20230728082435/https://books.google.com/books?id=K6pABAAAQBAJ. 28 July 2023. 4 December 2020. bot: unknown.
  7. Web site: Pranab Mukherjee. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200817133027/https://indianexpress.com/about/pranab-mukherjee/. 17 August 2020. 4 December 2020. The Indian Express. en.
  8. Web site: 22 July 2012. India votes Pranab Mukherjee as 13th President of India.. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130929004506/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-22/india/32787938_1_vote-value-mukherjee-and-sangma-india-s-13th-president. 29 September 2013. 4 December 2020. The Times of India.
  9. Web site: And the next President is... . Sachidananda Murthy . 27 December 2015 . english.manoramaonline.com/home.html . Manorama Online . 28 April 2016 . 26 April 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160426112523/http://english.manoramaonline.com/news/columns/national-scrutiny/sharad-pawar-president-candidate-pranab-mukherjee-ncp.html . dead .
  10. Web site: Presidential Election 2017: Pranab Mukherjee retires in July, this is how India elects its president. 2 May 2017. 22 August 2017. 22 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170822223454/http://www.firstpost.com/politics/presidential-election-2017-pranab-mukherjee-retires-in-july-this-is-how-india-elects-its-president-3418668.html. dead.
  11. Web site: Presidential Election 2017: Not in race for another term, says Pranab Mukherjee. 25 May 2017. 22 August 2017. 22 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170822221645/http://www.firstpost.com/india/presidential-election-2017-not-in-race-for-another-term-says-pranab-mukherjee-3480729.html. dead.
  12. News: Pranab Mukherjee describes RSS founder Hedgewar as 'great son of Mother India'. The Times of India. 14 August 2018. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133138/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pranab-mukherjee-describes-rss-founder-hedgewar-as-great-son-of-mother-india/articleshow/64496644.cms. live.
  13. Web site: Pranab Mukherjee Biography & Facts. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190526171956/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pranab-Mukherjee. 26 May 2019. 31 August 2020. Encyclopedia Britannica. en.
  14. News: 11 October 2011. Protocol to keep President Pranab off Puja customs. Hindustan Times. 12 July 2012. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133141/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/protocol-to-keep-president-pranab-off-puja-customs/story-85VNL9oUY0er5Vj1TxLPyH.html. dead.
  15. Web site: 15 June 2012. Who is Pranab Mukherjee?. 11 July 2012. NDTV. 30 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130430162226/http://www.ndtv.com/article/people/who-is-pranab-mukherjee-231318. live.
  16. Web site: Biography. 11 July 2012. Pranab Mukherjee. 4 September 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100904170154/http://www.pranabmukherjee.in/. live.
  17. Web site: 22 June 2012. About Pranab Mukherjee. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924011809/http://www.feps-europe.eu/assets/5351e32e-1422-4ba2-b339-2dea6d38ddb1/2012%2007%2025%20pranab%20mukherjee%20-%2013th%20president%20of%20india%20-%20kv.pdf. 24 September 2015. 11 July 2012. Europe.eu.
  18. News: Singh. Shiv Sahay. 26 July 2012. Proud siblings recall Poltu's journey from Birbhum. 31 August 2020. The Hindu. en-IN. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133141/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/proud-siblings-recall-poltus-journey-from-birbhum/article3683655.ece. live.
  19. Web site: Shri Pranab Mukherjee. https://web.archive.org/web/20110514145924/http://india.gov.in/govt/loksabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=4195. 14 May 2011. 11 July 2012. Government of India.
  20. Web site: Debashis Konar . President Pranab Mukherjee to visit Vidyanagar College where he taught in 1960s . Times of India . 1 September 2020 . 4 January 2016 . 28 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201128074859/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/President-Pranab-Mukherjee-to-visit-Vidyanagar-College-where-he-taught-in-1960s/articleshow/50442977.cms . live .
  21. Web site: Team. DNA Web. 8 September 2018. Ex-President Pranab Mukherjee to teach public policy at IIM Ahmedabad. 1 September 2020. DNA India. en. 28 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201128074836/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-ex-president-pranab-mukherjee-to-teach-public-policy-at-iim-ahmedabad-2660776. live.
  22. Web site: 23 May 2009. FM Pranab's first priority: Presenting budget 09-10. 23 May 2009. The Indian Express. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133143/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/fm-pranabs-first-priority-presenting-budget-0910/464858/0. live.
  23. News: Defeating Congress in 1967 West Bengal polls: Pranab Mukherjee had an idea, it worked!. Deccan Herald. 31 August 2020. deccanherald.com. Shemin Joy. 31 August 2020. 1 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200901040942/https://www.deccanherald.com/national/defeating-congress-in-1967-west-bengal-polls-pranab-mukherjee-had-an-idea-it-worked-880567.html. live.
  24. News: As a debutant MP, Pranab quickly earned the respect of his Rajya Sabha colleagues. India Today. 24 July 2012. Nimai Bhattacharya. 3 September 2020. 8 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220708033155/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/president-pranab-mukherjee-as-rajya-sabha-lok-sabha-mp-110881-2012-07-24. live.
  25. Web site: Footsteps of Pranab. Mathrubhumi. 29 June 2012. 11 July 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120711090242/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/story.php?id=125466. 11 July 2012.
  26. Web site: Pranab Mukherjee's USP for President: sheer experience. ibnlive. 4 May 2012. 11 July 2012. 20 June 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120620091111/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/pranab-mukherjee-and-the-wealth-of-experience/254613-3.html. dead.
  27. Web site: The tallest short man. Sumit Mitra. The Hindustan Times, 26 February 2010. 27 February 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100305062958/http://www.hindustantimes.com/The-tallest-short-man/H1-Article1-512958.aspx. 5 March 2010.
  28. http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/20000704/ina04002.html How they buried Shah Commission report, even without an epitaph
  29. News: Baru. Sanjaya. 22 February 2010. Sanjaya Baru: The Pranab Mukherjee Budget. Business Standard India. 1 September 2020. 29 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180629073102/https://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/sanjaya-baru-the-pranab-mukherjee-budget-110022200019_1.html. live.
  30. Web site: Pranab Mukherjee. pranabmukherjee. 10 October 2019. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133202/http://pranabmukherjee.nic.in/profile.html. live.
  31. Web site: Pranab Mukherjee – The 13th President of India. https://archive.today/20130103112035/http://zeenews.india.com/news/exclusive/pranab-mukherjee-the-13th-president-of-india_789045.html. dead. 3 January 2013. Zee News. 22 July 2012. 22 July 2012.
  32. Web site: I won't be a unique President: Pranab Mukherjee. Zee News. 24 July 2012. 9 August 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130523125957/http://zeenews.india.com/news/zee-exclusive/i-won-t-be-a-unique-president-pranab-mukherjee_788923.html. 23 May 2013.
  33. Web site: Pranab Mukherjee – 'man who knew too much' . 31 August 2020 . 31 August 2020 . 1 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200901040908/https://theprint.in/politics/pranab-mukherjee-man-who-knew-too-much-but-was-a-rahul-dravid-like-wall-for-congress/486181/ . live .
  34. News: Pranab Mukherjee's exit from party politics is a loss and an opportunity. The Economic Times. India. 4 July 2012. 13 July 2012. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133144/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/. live.
  35. News: India's new foreign minister Mukherjee: a respected party veteran. Agence France-Presse. 24 October 2006. 9 April 2007. 13 January 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090113175020/http://servihoo.com/Aujourdhui/kinews/afp_details.php?id=140225&CategoryID=74. dead.
  36. News: India gets new foreign minister. BBC News. 4 October 2006. 9 April 2007. 28 July 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110728174357/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6079438.stm. live.
  37. Web site: Former president Pranab Mukherjee passes away at 84. 1 September 2020. The Week. en. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831125939/https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/08/31/former-president-pranab-mukherjee-passes-away-at-84.html. live.
  38. News: Why is Dr. Singh Sonia's choice?. GK Gokhale. rediff.com. 19 April 2004. 9 April 2007. 25 May 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110525042459/http://in.rediff.com/news/2004/may/19guest.htm. dead.
  39. News: Pranab: The master manager. Aditi Phadnis. rediff.com. 29 March 2005. 9 April 2007. Aditi Phadnis. 14 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121014153547/http://www.rediff.com/money/2005/mar/29patents.htm. live.
  40. Web site: The Man Indira Trusted. India Today. 16 October 2010. 9 August 2012. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133146/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/guest-column/story/20101025-the-man-indira-trusted-744477-2010-10-16. live.
  41. News: 25 January 2009. PM makes "rapid progress" after surgery. en. Reuters. 1 September 2020. 10 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160310211206/http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-37645720090125. live.
  42. Web site: 1 May 2012. Cabinet Secretariat - List of GoMs. 1 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20120501075949/http://cabsec.gov.in/showpdf.php?type=listofgoms. 1 May 2012.
  43. Web site: 1 May 2012. Cabinet Secretariat - List of EGoMs. 1 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20120501080430/http://cabsec.gov.in/showpdf.php?type=listofegoms. 1 May 2012.
  44. News: US preferred Pranab Mukherjee over AK Antony as defence minister. The Times of India. 6 September 2011. 12 July 2012. 19 April 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120419112910/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-06/india/30118195_1_logistics-support-agreement-communication-interoperability-geo-spatial-cooperation. dead.
  45. News: Russia to remain India's topmost defence partner. The Times of India. 15 November 2005. 9 August 2012. 30 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130430135643/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2005-11-15/rest-of-world/27861142_1_military-technical-cooperation-admiral-gorshkov-aircraft-carrier-defence-partner. dead.
  46. Web site: Russia Hails Defence Cooperation With India. Spacewar. 15 November 2005. 9 August 2012. 17 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141017184900/http://www.spacewar.com/news/india-05zzs.html. dead.
  47. Web site: Pranab Mukherjee Biography & Facts. 1 September 2020. Encyclopedia Britannica. en. 26 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190526171956/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pranab-Mukherjee. live.
  48. Jha. Ganganath. 1 October 2008. India's Dialogue Partnership with ASEAN. India Quarterly. en. 64. 4. 1–34. 10.1177/097492840806400401. 153913814. 0974-9284.
  49. Book: Aggarwal, S. K.. The Investigative journalism in India. 10 October 2011. 1990. Mittal Publications. 978-81-7099-224-0. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133158/https://books.google.com/books?id=m0ZUwtiTCKYC&dq=Investigative+journalism+in+India. live.
  50. Web site: Pranab Mukherjee: A consensus builder who left an imprint on modern India. 1 September 2020. The New Indian Express. 1 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200901040914/https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/aug/31/pranab-mukherjee-a-consensus-builder-who-left-an-imprint-on-modern-india-2190729.html. live.
  51. News: India's architect of reforms . 11 December 2008 . Biswas . Soutik . 14 October 2005 . BBC News . 30 April 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090430013006/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3725357.stm . live .
  52. Web site: 6 July 2009. Fringe benefit tax abolished. 31 August 2020. Hindustan Times. en. 1 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200901040931/https://www.hindustantimes.com/business/fringe-benefit-tax-abolished/story-w54pPgAH9TN3SE9ze9fdiI.html. live.
  53. News: PTI. 13 April 2017. President Pranab Mukherjee gives nod to four supporting Bills on GST. en-IN. The Hindu. 31 August 2020. 0971-751X. 10 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200610130246/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/president-pranab-mukherjee-gives-nod-to-four-supporting-legislations-on-gst/article17982848.ece. live.
  54. Web site: 27 October 2017. Manmohan & Sonia opposed retrospective tax: Pranab Mukherjee. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200901040859/https://theprint.in/pageturner/excerpt/retrospective-tax-pranab-mukherjee/13673/. 1 September 2020. 31 August 2020. ThePrint. en-US.
  55. Web site: More Funds for Infrastructure Development, Farmers. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200901040912/https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/more-funds-for-infrastructure-development-farmers/662289. 1 September 2020. 1 September 2020. Outlook India.
  56. News: Big spender. The Economist. 1 September 2020. 0013-0613. 1 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200901040901/https://www.economist.com/news/2009/07/07/big-spender. live.
  57. Web site: Pranab Mukherjee resigns as Finance Minister; PM to take additional charge, say sources. NDTV. 26 June 2012. 13 July 2012. 29 June 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120629053603/http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/pranab-mukherjee-resigns-as-finance-minister-pm-to-take-additional-charge-say-sources-236331. live.
  58. News: 'His Excellency' to Go: Prez Approves New Protocol. 9 October 2012. Outlook India. 9 October 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121009213238/http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=777709. 9 October 2012.
  59. Web site: Prabhu. Chawla. Pranab nominated after Mulayam-Sonia secret meet. 4 July 2012. 19 June 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120619091318/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/pranab-nominated-after-mulayamsonia-secret-meet/266362-37-64.html. dead.
  60. Web site: Hunt begins for head of state. 3 January 2012. Yahoo News India. 29 June 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20141025031731/https://in.news.yahoo.com/hunt-begins-for-head-of-state.html. 25 October 2014.
  61. News: Pranab Mukherjee, Sangma final candidates for Prez polls. 4 July 2012. Daily News and Analysis. 4 July 2012. 6 July 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120706140153/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_pranab-mukherjee-sangma-final-candidates-for-prez-polls_1710719. live.
  62. Web site: CNNIBN Blog. 22 July 2012. 22 July 2012. 24 July 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120724131911/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/live-counting-of-votes-begins-for-president-poll/272800-37-64.html. dead.
  63. News: Pranab Mukherjee sworn-in 13th President . 25 July 2012 . The Hindu . Smita . Gupta . Chennai, India . 25 July 2012 . 31 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133149/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pranab-lays-stress-on-economic-equity/article3681618.ece?homepage=true . live .
  64. News: Fight against terrorism is 4th World War: Pranab . 25 July 2012 . The Hindu . Chennai, India . 25 July 2012 . 31 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133209/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/fight-against-terrorism-is-4th-world-war-pranab/article3682516.ece?homepage=true . live .
  65. Web site: PM, Sonia congratulate India's new President Pranab Mukherjee. Zee News. 22 July 2012. 1 August 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120725170043/http://zeenews.india.com/news/zee-exclusive/pm-sonia-congratulate-india-s-new-president-pranab-mukherjee_788999.html. 25 July 2012.
  66. Web site: India has got a very able president: Somnath. Zee News. 22 July 2012. 1 August 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120725170012/http://zeenews.india.com/news/zee-exclusive/india-has-got-a-very-able-president-somnath_789094.html. 25 July 2012.
  67. Web site: India needs Pranab as president: Sharad Yadav. Zee News. 22 July 2012. 1 August 2012. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133218/https://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/india-needs-pranab-as-president-sharad-yadav_789014.html. live.
  68. Web site: Pranab Mukherjee will be a wise president: Dikshit. Zee News. 22 July 2012. 1 August 2012. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133150/https://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/pranab-mukherjee-will-be-a-wise-president-dikshit_789008.html. live.
  69. Web site: Prez poll: BJP miffed over cross-voting. Zee News. 22 July 2012. 1 August 2012. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133152/https://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/prez-poll-bjp-miffed-over-cross-voting_789108.html. live.
  70. Web site: Nitin Gadkari congratulates Pranab Mukherjee. Zee News. 22 July 2012. 1 August 2012. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133148/https://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/nitin-gadkari-congratulates-pranab-mukherjee_789087.html. live.
  71. News: Prez Pranab Mukherjee promulgates ordinance on crime against women. 4 February 2013. Indian Express. 3 February 2013. 3 March 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130303013240/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/president-pranab-mukherjee-promulgates-ordinance-on-crime-against-women/1068720. live.
  72. News: President signs ordinance to effect changes in laws against sexual crimes. 4 February 2013. India Today. 3 February 2013. 4 February 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130204021255/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/president-signs-ordinance-to-effect-changes-in-laws-against-sexual-crimes/1/248740.html. live.
  73. Web site: Yakub Memon and 23 other mercy pleas rejected by President Pranab Mukherjee. 21 July 2015. 28 October 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151028204632/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/yakub-memon-death-penalty-pranab-mukherjee-24-mercy-pleas-rejected/1/451616.html. live.
  74. Web site: President Pranab rejects 12 mercy pleas, a first in India. 21 July 2015. 12 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612193056/https://www.firstpost.com/india/president-pranab-rejects-12-mercy-pleas-a-first-in-india-624385.html. dead.
  75. Goswami. Dev. 25 July 2017. No Mercy: Pranab Mukherjee rejected 30 mercy petitions as President. bot: unknown. https://web.archive.org/web/20201127071704/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/president-pranab-mukherjee-mercy-petitions-1025001-2017-07-18. 27 November 2020. 19 November 2020. India Today. en.
  76. Web site: 10 August 2020. Former President Pranab Mukherjee undergoes successful brain surgery, on ventilator support. 1 September 2020. Hindustan Times. en. 11 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200811005059/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/former-president-pranab-mukherjee-undergoes-successful-brain-surgery-for-removal-of-clot-pti-qouting-sources/story-WqzrhZlicSqGfqCE2uZWKI.html. live.
  77. Web site: 9 February 2013. Pranab to visit in-laws' home in Narail. 29 June 2017. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133142/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-268437. live.
  78. News: Suvra Mukherjee, President Pranab Mukherjee's wife, passes away – Times of India. The Times of India. 18 August 2015 . 29 June 2017. 9 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170809005557/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Suvra-Mukherjee-President-Pranab-Mukherjees-wife-passes-away/articleshow/48524004.cms. live.
  79. News: 24 July 2012. Pranab Mujherjee's son wants his LS seat, party to take call. 24 July 2012. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133142/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/pranab-mujherjees-son-wants-his-ls-seat-party-to-take-call/978529. live.
  80. 11 December 2016 . 'A man of all seasons' Pranab Mukherjee turns 81: Lesser known facts about the President. 1 September 2020. India Today. en. 1 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200901040932/https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/president-pranab-mukherjee-turns-81-facts-unknown-356894-2016-12-11. live.
  81. News: Das. Mohua. 12 January 2011. Dancer who happens to be 'his' daughter-Father Pranab Mukherjee misses Sharmistha's tribute to Tagore, mom in front row. Telegraph India. Calcutta, India. 22 July 2012. 21 July 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120721055744/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110112/jsp/calcutta/story_13426607.jsp. dead.
  82. Web site: 4 October 2011. Pranab Mukherjee's Durga Puja at ancestral home. 11 July 2012. Rediff. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133149/https://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-photos-pranab-mukherjee-s-durga-puja-at-ancestral-home/20111004.htm. live.
  83. Web site: 10 August 2020. Former President Pranab Mukherjee Says He Has Tested Positive For COVID-19. 10 August 2020. NDTV. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133159/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pranab-mukherjee-former-president-says-he-has-tested-positive-for-covid-19-coronavirus-2277058. live.
  84. News: Ghosh. Abantika. 10 August 2020. Former President Pranab Mukherjee critical after brain surgery to remove clot. ThePrint. 19 August 2020. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133204/https://theprint.in/india/former-president-pranab-mukherjee-critical-after-brain-surgery-to-remove-clot/479061/. live.
  85. News: 12 August 2020. Pranab Mukherjee's health remains critical, still on ventilator support. en. India Today. 19 August 2020. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133221/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pranab-mukherjee-former-india-president-critical-coronavirus-health-update-august-12-1710392-2020-08-12. live.
  86. News: 11 August 2020. Pranab Mukherjee in critical condition, says hospital. en. Deccan Chronicle. 11 August 2020. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133206/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/110820/pranab-mukherjee-in-critical-condition-says-hospital.html. live.
  87. News: 13 August 2020. Former President Pranab Mukherjee in coma, vital parametres stable: Hospital. en. Hindustan Times. 17 August 2020. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133204/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pranab-mukherjee-in-coma-vital-parametres-stable-hospital/story-pSj0So5JyiaH4tpiLtAa0N.html. live.
  88. News: 14 August 2020. Pranab in deep coma: Doctors. en. Tribuneindia News Service. 17 August 2020. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133225/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/pranab-in-deep-coma-doctors-126200. live.
  89. News: PTI. 19 August 2020. Pranab Mukherjee news: Pranab Mukherjee health declines, develops lung infection . en. The Times of India. 19 August 2020. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133206/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pranab-mukherjees-health-declines-develops-lung-infection/articleshow/77629288.cms. live.
  90. News: Som. Vishnu. Varma. Shylaja. 26 August 2020. Pranab Mukherjee's "Renal Parameters Slightly Deranged": Hospital. NDTV.com. 28 August 2020. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133231/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pranab-mukherjees-renal-parameters-slightly-deranged-since-yesterday-army-hospital-2285428. live.
  91. News: Bhalla. Abhishek. 28 August 2020. Pranab Mukherjee in deep coma, being treated for lung infection, renal dysfunction. en. India Today. 28 August 2020. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133226/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pranab-mukherjee-health-update-critical-with-lung-infection-renal-dysfunction-1716040-2020-08-28. live.
  92. News: 31 August 2020. BREAKING: Former President Pranab Mukherjee passes away. en. DNA India. 31 August 2020. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133212/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-former-president-pranab-mukherjee-passes-away-at-84-2840417. live.
  93. News: 31 August 2020. Pranab Mukherjee, ex-president and Congress veteran, dies in Delhi hospital. en. Hindustan Times. 31 August 2020. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133228/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pranab-mukherjee-ex-president-and-congress-veteran-dies-in-delhi-hospital/story-sKOIeIEmCyY9OcGziScT9I.html. live.
  94. News: Pranab Mukherjee, former President, passes away at 84 . 31 August 2020 . Livemint . 31 August 2020 . en . 31 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133214/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/pranab-mukherjee-former-president-passes-away-at-84-11598876699664.html . live .
  95. News: Pranab Mukherjee's medical condition declines, still in deep coma: Hospital . 31 August 2020 . Hindustan Times . 31 August 2020 . en . 31 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200831111653/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pranab-mukherjee-s-medical-condition-declines-still-in-deep-coma-hospital/story-opUQVkr32lI2ZMXo2ToMbL.html . live .
  96. News: Tributes pour in after the demise of former President Pranab Mukherjee . 31 August 2020 . WION . 31 August 2020 . en . 1 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200901040932/https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tributes-pour-in-after-the-demise-of-former-president-pranab-mukherjee-324294 . live .
  97. News: Former President Pranab Mukherjee dies at 84, Modi says India grieves for him . 31 August 2020 . Scroll.in . 31 August 2020 . 31 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133155/https://scroll.in/latest/970071/former-president-pranab-mukherjee-dies-at-84 . live .
  98. News: Shashwat Bhandari . Pranab Mukherjee passes away: PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi, others remember former President of India . 31 August 2020 . www.indiatvnews.com . 31 August 2020 . en . 31 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133155/https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/pranab-mukherjee-death-live-updates-twitter-political-reactions-modi-amit-shah-sonia-gandhi-rahul-congress-646205 . live .
  99. News: Putin sends condolences over death of former Indian president Pranab Mukherjee . 31 August 2020 . TASS . 31 August 2020 . 1 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200901022758/https://tass.com/politics/1195733 . live .
  100. News: Former Indian President Mukherjee Dies at 84 . 1 September 2020 . The Khaama Press News Agency . 1 September 2020 . 22 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201022200738/https://www.khaama.com/former-indian-president-mukherjee-dies-at-84-64345/ . live .
  101. News: Maldivian President: Ex-Indian President Mukherjee's death 'tremendous loss to entire South Asian region' . 31 August 2020 . SunOnline International . 31 August 2020 . en . 1 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200901040942/https://en.sun.mv/62703 . live .
  102. News: Shivani Kumar . 'True friend': Sheikh Hasina condoles Pranab Mukherjee's death in letter to PM Modi . 31 August 2020 . Hindustan Times . 31 August 2020. en . 1 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200901040902/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/true-friend-sheikh-hasina-condoles-pranab-mukherjee-s-death-in-letter-to-pm-modi/story-kJd4T2MnQWJjyvovBfYNUN.html . live .
  103. News: PM Oli expresses sorrow on demise of India's former President Pranab Mukherjee . 31 August 2020 . My Republica . 31 August 2020 . en . 31 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133216/https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/pm-oli-expresses-sorrow-on-demise-of-india-s-former-president-pranab-mukherjee/ . live .
  104. News: Pranab Mukherjee no more [LIVE UPDATES]

    PM Narendra Modi hails Mukherjee as a 'towering statesman' ]

    . 31 August 2020 . Times Now . 31 August 2020 . en . 1 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200901040924/https://www.timesnownews.com/india/blog/pranab-mukherjee-death-news-former-president-dies-tributes-pour-in-live-updates/347 . live .
  105. News: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma lead condolences as India's former President Pranab Mukherjee passes away . 31 August 2020 . Times Now . 31 August 2020 . en . 1 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200901040917/https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/others/article/virat-kohli-rohit-sharma-lead-condolences-as-indias-former-president-pranab-mukherjee-passes-away/645587 . live .
  106. News: Tripti Karki . Pranab Mukherjee dies at 84: Celebs remember the leader, condolences pour on social media . 31 August 2020 . India TV . 31 August 2020 . en . 31 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200831202533/https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/news/pranab-mukherjee-dies-at-84-celeb-remember-the-leader-condolences-pour-on-social-media-646203 . live .
  107. News: 7-day state mourning announced for former president Pranab Mukherjee . 31 August 2020 . Hindustan Times . 31 August 2020 . en . 1 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200901040913/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/7-day-state-mourning-to-be-observed-for-former-president-pranab-mukherjee/story-LWsyHEfrLmO2VvZ01Kg4lK.html . live .
  108. News: West Bengal government offices will remain closed on Tuesday to show respect to Pranab Mukherjee . 31 August 2020 . The Times of India . Press Trust of India . 31 August 2020 . en . 1 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200901040916/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/west-bengal-government-offices-will-remain-closed-on-tuesday-to-show-respect-to-mukherjee/articleshow/77857183.cms . live .
  109. News: Former president Pranab Mukherjee cremated with full state honours . 1 September 2020 . Hindustan Times . 1 September 2020 . en . 17 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210217133701/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/former-president-pranab-mukherjee-cremated-with-full-state-honours/story-IpYWtKvqgFRMtkSP1ILIRP.html . live .
  110. Web site: 2 September 2020 . Mortal remains of Pranab Mukherjee immersed in Ganga . 18 June 2021 . Mid-Day . 24 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200437/https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/mortal-remains-of-former-president-pranab-mukherjee-immersed-in-ganga-at-haridwar-22965255 . live .
  111. News: Due to COVID-19, Pranab Mukherjee's mortal remains were carried in van instead of gun carriage . 1 September 2020 . BW Businessworld . 1 September 2020 . en . 17 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211017151842/http://www.businessworld.in/article/Due-to-COVID-19-Pranab-Mukherjee-s-mortal-remains-were-carried-in-van-instead-of-gun-carriage/01-09-2020-315339/ . live .
  112. News: Former President Pranab Mukherjee's Dies at 84, Funeral Tomorrow Amid Covid-19 Protocols . 31 August 2020 . News18 . 31 August 2020 . 1 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200901041009/https://www.news18.com/news/india/pranab-mukherjee-death-live-updates-former-president-passes-away-had-also-tested-positive-for-covid-19-2835959.html . live .
  113. Web site: 31 August 2020. Pranab Mukherjee in Aap Ki Adalat. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/wKqJ7FdlPs0 . 21 December 2021 . live. India TV.
  114. Web site: Padma Vibhushan Awardees for year 2008. india.gov.in. 3 April 2012. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133157/https://www.india.gov.in/. live.
  115. http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/pranab-mukherjee-receives-bangladesh-s-second-highest-award-338250 Pranab Mukherjee receives Bangladesh's second highest award
  116. News: President Mukherjee accorded with Grand Cross National Order of the Republic of Cote D'Ivoire. PTI. 15 June 2016. 15 June 2016. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133221/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-president-mukherjee-accorded-with-grand-cross-national-order-of-the-republic-of-cote-d-ivoirie-2224069. live.
  117. Web site: Transcript of Media Briefing on visits from Cyprus and Turkey. Ministry of External Affairs – Government of India. 27 April 2017. 1 June 2019. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133227/https://mea.gov.in/media-briefings.htm?dtl%2F28432%2Ftranscript+of+media+briefing+on+visits+from+cyprus+and+turkey. live.
  118. News: Pranab Mukherjee, Nanaji Deshmukh, Bhupen Hazarika awarded Bharat Ratna. The Hindu. 25 January 2019. 25 January 2019. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133156/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pranab-mukherjee-nanaji-deshmukh-bhupen-hazarika-awarded-bharat-ratna/article26092282.ece. live.
  119. Web site: Honorary doctorate for Pranab from UK university. The Hindu. 27 May 2011. 13 June 2011. 8 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121008233627/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/government-and-policy/article2054913.ece. live.
  120. News: Small price for big prize. Telegraph India. 15 July 2012. 22 July 2012. Calcutta, India. 19 July 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120719063927/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120716/jsp/frontpage/story_15733694.jsp. dead.
  121. News: What doctor ordered but can't get at home. Telegraph India. 1 October 2013. 2 October 2013. Calcutta, India. 4 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131004222418/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1131002/jsp/frontpage/story_17415409.jsp#.UkwPo6xi2So. dead.
  122. Web site: 8 April 2012. Pranab Mukherjee visits VTU and Ramkrishna mission ashrama. 1 September 2020. All About Belgaum. en-US. 7 July 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140707031010/http://allaboutbelgaum.com/news/pranab-mukherjee-visits-vtu-and-ramkrishna-mission-ashrama/. live.
  123. Web site: Conquer Tech Challenges, Pranab Tells Students. 1 September 2020. The New Indian Express. 1 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200901040927/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2012/apr/09/conquer-tech-challenges-pranab-tells-students-356760.html. live.
  124. http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2013/03/04/du-honours-pranab-mukherjee DU honours Pranab Mukherjee
  125. Web site: UOM – HONNEUR: Le Président de l'Inde fait Doctor of Civil Law Honoris Causa. Le Matinal. 13 March 2013. 10 April 2013. fr. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130318031403/http://www.lemauricien.com/article/uom-%E2%80%94-honneur-president-l%E2%80%99inde-fait-doctor-civil-law-honoris-causa. 18 March 2013.
  126. Web site: The President, Pranab Mukherjee being conferred the Honorary Doctorate by the Dean of the Faculty of Political Science of Istanbul. www.sarkaritel.com. 22 August 2017. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131016024928/http://www.sarkaritel.com/the-president-pranab-mukherjee-being-conferred-the-honorary-doctorate-by-the-dean-of-the-faculty-of-political-science-of-istanbul-university/. 16 October 2013.
  127. Web site: Take forward government's model village scheme, President Pranab Mukherjee tells universities – Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis. 28 November 2014. 29 June 2017. 26 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170426061057/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-take-forward-government-s-model-village-scheme-president-pranab-mukherjee-tells-universities-2039217. live.
  128. News: President Pranab Mukherjee conferred honorary doctorate by Jordanian university. PTI. 11 October 2015. 29 June 2017. The Economic Times. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133207/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/president-pranab-mukherjee-conferred-honorary-doctorate-by-jordanian-university/articleshow/49314132.cms. live.
  129. Web site: Al-Quds University confers Hon. Doctorate on President. India's Solidarity with Palestinian people and its principled support to Palestinian cause is rooted in our own freedom struggle, says President. pib.nic.in. 29 June 2017. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133211/https://pib.gov.in/ErrorPage.html?aspxerrorpath=%2Fnewsite%2FPrintRelease.aspx. live.
  130. http://news.niticentral.com/2015/10/16/hebrew-university-confers-honorary-doctorate-on-president-pranab-mukherjee/ NitiCentral
  131. Web site: Kathmandu University awards DLitt to President Mukherjee. 3 November 2016. 29 June 2017. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133204/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/kathmandu-university-awards-dlitt-to-president-mukherjee/story-d7z8H1lXmCEyZTdC9RkJON.html. live.
  132. Web site: Accept Honorary Doctorate from Kathmandu University in Name of People of India, Writes President. pib.nic.in. 29 June 2017. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133248/https://pib.gov.in/ErrorPage.html?aspxerrorpath=%2Fnewsite%2FPrintRelease.aspx. live.
  133. Web site: Prez worthy: Girls doing better than boys in GU, says Pranab. 29 June 2017. 19 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170519133633/https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Prez-worthy-Girls-doing-better-than-boys-in-GU-says-Pranab/114457.html. dead.
  134. News: Goa varsity confers D Litt on President. Press Trust of India. 25 April 2017. 29 June 2017. Business Standard. Business Standard India. 19 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170519134132/http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/goa-varsity-confers-d-litt-on-president-117042501114_1.html. live.
  135. News: Pranab advocates free thinking among students. Press Trust of India. 25 December 2017. The Hindu. 25 July 2018. en-IN. 0971-751X. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133207/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/pranab-advocates-free-thinking-among-students/article22272868.ece. live.
  136. News: Pranab Mukherjee advocates free thinking among students at Jadavpur University. The New Indian Express. 25 July 2018. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133216/https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/dec/24/pranab-mukherjee-advocates-free-thinking-among-students-at-jadavpur-university-1736057.html. live.
  137. News: CU confers D. Litt degree on Pranab Mukherjee. 16 January 2018. The Daily Star. 25 July 2018. en. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133219/https://www.thedailystar.net/country/chittagong-university-cu-confers-d-litt-degree-former-indian-president-pranab-mukherjee-1520728. live.
  138. Web site: Shri Pranab Mukherjee. Calcutta Yellow Pages. 22 January 2001. 23 July 2012. 23 January 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100123025921/http://www.calcuttayellowpages.com/pranadmu.html. dead.
  139. News: Finance Minister of Asia award for Pranab. The Hindu. 11 October 2010. 13 June 2011. Chennai, India. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133226/https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/Finance-Minister-of-Asia-award-for-Pranab/article15776838.ece. live.
  140. News: Finance Minister of the Year 2011. The Banker. 23 December 2010. 23 July 2012. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133228/https://www.thebanker.com/Awards/Finance-Minister-of-the-Year/Finance-Minister-of-the-Year-2011?ct=true. live.
  141. Web site: President Pranab Mukherjee accorded honorary citizenship of Abidjan. 15 June 2016. 29 June 2017. 31 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133227/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/president-pranab-mukherjee-accorded-honorary-citizenship-of-abidjan/story-dcj863ylimfiBsQbunOBUP.html. live.
  142. Web site: 15 June 2016. President Pranab Mukherjee accorded honorary citizenship of Abidjan. 1 September 2020. Hindustan Times. en. 27 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210727004708/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/president-pranab-mukherjee-accorded-honorary-citizenship-of-abidjan/story-dcj863ylimfiBsQbunOBUP.html. live.
  143. Web site: 31 August 2020. Pranab Mukherjee passes away: Nation mourns death of 'Citizen Mukherjee', last rites on Tuesday. 1 September 2020. The Financial Express. en-US. 1 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200901041006/https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/pranab-mukherjee-death-news-live-updates-former-president-passes-away/2070666/. live.
  144. Web site: 7 June 2018. A look at 'Finance Minister' Pranab Mukherjee's tenure as he attends RSS event. 1 September 2020. The Financial Express. en-US. 12 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612205641/https://www.financialexpress.com/economy/a-look-finance-minister-pranab-mukherjees-tenure-as-he-attends-rss-event/1197480/. live.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Pranab Mukherjee".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.