Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : President of India Pranab Mukherjee received the first copy of a book “President Pranab Mukherjee – A Statesman” on July 2, 2017, from PM Narendra Modi, who formally released it at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Speaking on the occasion, the President expressed his gratitude to The Statesman for bringing out a photo essay on the 13th Presidency. He confessed that he was initially unwilling when the idea of the photo essay was first suggested by The Statesman. He wondered about the benefit the photo essay would have since the engagements of the President are all in public domain. However, he was convinced by Ravindra Kumar and R P Gupta from The Statesman in this regard who stressed that it was necessary to archive important events for posterity. This was so because the day -to- day news coverage of the Presidency has currency only till the next headline comes along, according to a PIB release.
The President said that art and creative abilities transcend the boundaries of time and geographical borders. Their appeal is universal. He appreciated the wonderful photos taken by Varun Joshi from The Statesman that feature in the photo essay. He also expressed his gratitude and deep appreciation to PM Narendra Modi who was present on the occasion to release the book, according the PIB release.
PM Narendra Modi said that the photo essay was important from the historical prospective. The photographs in the book immortalize history and also show the humane side of the President of India who is an inspiration to all of us.
PM Modi said it is his privilege that he got to work with President Pranab Mukherjee. Recounting his experiences, the Prime Minister said that several times, he had got to work with leaders and workers of very different ideologies. He added that he will never forget that when he came to Delhi, he had someone like “Pranab Da” to guide him. He said President Pranab Mukherjee had guided him like a father figure, according to the PIB release. He said the President would even tell him to take adequate rest and take care of his health.
The book “President Pranab Mukherjee – A Statesman” has been published by The Statesman, one of India’s oldest English-language newspapers.