Pranab Mukherjee - Rise to Power!

PRANAB MUKHERJEE - RISE TO POWER 

Pranab Mukherjee was elected as the 13th President of the Republic of India on 18^th of July, 2012 as he won the election by achieving more than 700,000 votes. He would be taking up his office at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on July 25, 2012  

 

 Born at Mirati in the Bengal province of British India (now West Bengal State of India), Pranab Mukherjee was born at a time period in which India was under the British rule. He graduated from the University of Calcutta and holds a Master’s Degree in political Science, Law and History.

His political career began in 1969 when he joined the Indian National Congress under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi (also known as the ‘Iron Lady of India’). The Iron Lady had claimed him “man for all seasons”. Before his presidency, Pranab took various others positions within the office. He was the Deputy Chairperson from 1991-96, Minister of External Affairs from 1995-96, Minister of Defense from 2004-06 and Minister of Finance from 2009-12.

But this road to success was not an easy task for the President.  During his early years, after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984, Pranab was expelled from the party because of his bad relations with the next PM, Rajiv Gandhi. Before India’s independence in 1947, Pranab spent nearly around 10 years in British jails in his thrive for independence. Recently during the election for Indian presidency, Mamta Banerjee, member of his own party, the Indian National Congress opposed his selection and said that Abdul Kalam was a much deserving candidate than him.

Despite all the controversies, Pranab Mukherjee has proven to be a good leader as far as now. Looking at the corruption and economic issues of India, Pranab appears to be a worthy decision made by the Republic of India. I wish him good luck for the future! 


What do you think should the President do to better India in terms of economy, international relations, employment or the hike in prices?