Pranab Mukherjee was perhaps one of the most well-read politicians in Indian politics. His memory was elephantine and his ability to recall fact and figures was legendary. He was erudite and commanded immediate attention. He did not tolerate fools nor wasted his time on inane conversations. He was a first-time politician and rose through Congress ranks because of his grit and determination. He may have been limited by his language and lack of mass appeal but Pranab Mukherjee adequately made it up by his intellect and knowledge.

He was shot tempered but would resume his composure quickly. My first brush with the veteran leader&nbsp;was in 2001 when my editor sent me to interview Pranab Mukherjee on the working on the standing committees of the Parliament. I worked in a national weekly and I knew that my editor wanted me to focus on the trips which the member of Parliament took in India and abroad.

The focus was to be on educational trips becoming fun trips for the MPs. Congress was in the Opposition, so the appointment came easy, but the meeting did not last long. After hearing my half- baked questions, Pranab Mukherjee promptly handed me a fat book. If I recollect it properly, it was not less than 300 pages. He gently asked me to read the book and then come back to him. I had a deadline of 48 hours and in no way, I could finish the book, make notes with questions and go back to Pranab Mukherjee for an interview.

I told my Editor that, Pranab da has given me an impossible task but it availed no sympathy. The only consolation was that I was accompanied by my editor the next day with the book to finish the interview. I returned the book and profusely thanked him and promised myself not to ever visit him again lest I get burdened with another book reading session.

Later I understood the importance of the interaction. He made the interview an education for me. He could have disposed of me by three quotes but chose to draw me deep into the subject which politicians rarely do these days.

Though I had many opportunities to interact with him which were mostly in a group during Parliament session. Even then, an uneducated question was met with scorn. Perhaps he was the only politician whose, off the record briefings were an education in itself.

Pranab Mukherjee served in various capacities in the government. He would be known for many things. He would be known for the man who could no become the Prime Minister despite being senior because Congress could not throw the yoke of the dynasty. He was marginalized by Rajiv Gandhi and ultimately had to leave the Congress.

Pranab made a quiet re-entry into the Congress later when PV Narsimha Rao was the Prime Minister. Even during UPA, he remained a perpetual number 2. The fact is that Congress needed him, but Gandhi’s never trusted him. Pranab Mukherjee knew it. It is for this reason he opted to become the President. Despite the reluctance of the Gandhi’s Pranab Mukherjee did not give in. It was in this transition that he shined the most.

His becoming the President of the Republic marked the return of a Political President which in past decades became a house for loyalists. APJ Kalam was the exception.

He would also be known for things which are not in the public domain but would make a difference in the long run.

He revamped the President House.&nbsp;

Pranab Mukherjee restored the hall where first India’s Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru took the oath. I had the opportunity to see the refurnished hall. A museum was created during his tenure which was thrown open for public. The Presidential Estate was revamped, and the credit goes to him.

In end, Pranab would be known as the marking the return of the Political President who dared to speak his mind and rose above the partisan interest. He met politicians of shades and ideologies. He did not discriminate. He could not become the Prime Minister, but he did definitely shine bright as the President of the Indian Republic.

Pranab Mukherjee was perhaps one of the most well-read politicians in Indian politics. His memory was elephantine and his ability to recall fact and figures was legendary.

Pranab Mukherjee was perhaps one of the most well-read politicians in Indian politics. His memory was elephantine and his ability to recall fact and figures was legendary. He was erudite and commanded immediate attention. He did not tolerate fools nor wasted his time on inane conversations. He was a first-time politician and rose through Congress ranks because of his grit and determination. He may have been limited by his language and lack of mass appeal but Pranab Mukherjee adequately made it up by his intellect and knowledge. He was shot tempered but would resume his composure quickly. My first brush with the veteran leader was in 2001 when my editor sent me to interview Pranab Mukherjee on the working on the standing committees of the Parliament. I worked in a national weekly and I knew that my editor wanted me to focus on the trips which the member of Parliament took in India and abroad. The focus was to be on educational trips becoming fun trips for the MPs. Congress was in the Opposition, so the appointment came easy, but the meeting did not last long. After hearing my half- baked questions, Pranab Mukherjee promptly handed me a fat book. If I recollect it properly, it was not less than 300 pages. He gently asked me to read the book and then come back to him. I had a deadline of 48 hours and in no way, I could finish the book, make notes with questions and go back to Pranab Mukherjee for an interview. I told my Editor that, Pranab da has given me an impossible task but it availed no sympathy. The only consolation was that I was accompanied by my editor the next day with the book to finish the interview. I returned the book and profusely thanked him and promised myself not to ever visit him again lest I get burdened with another book reading session. Later I understood the importance of the interaction. He made the interview an education for me. He could have disposed of me by three quotes but chose to draw me deep into the subject which politicians rarely do these days. Though I had many opportunities to interact with him which were mostly in a group during Parliament session. Even then, an uneducated question was met with scorn. Perhaps he was the only politician whose, off the record briefings were an education in itself. Pranab Mukherjee served in various capacities in the government. He would be known for many things. He would be known for the man who could no become the Prime Minister despite being senior because Congress could not throw the yoke of the dynasty. He was marginalized by Rajiv Gandhi and ultimately had to leave the Congress. Pranab made a quiet re-entry into the Congress later when PV Narsimha Rao was the Prime Minister. Even during UPA, he remained a perpetual number 2. The fact is that Congress needed him, but Gandhi’s never trusted him. Pranab Mukherjee knew it. It is for this reason he opted to become the President. Despite the reluctance of the Gandhi’s Pranab Mukherjee did not give in. It was in this transition that he shined the most. His becoming the President of the Republic marked the return of a Political President which in past decades became a house for loyalists. APJ Kalam was the exception. He would also be known for things which are not in the public domain but would make a difference in the long run. He revamped the President House. Pranab Mukherjee restored the hall where first India’s Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru took the oath. I had the opportunity to see the refurnished hall. A museum was created during his tenure which was thrown open for public. The Presidential Estate was revamped, and the credit goes to him. In end, Pranab would be known as the marking the return of the Political President who dared to speak his mind and rose above the partisan interest. He met politicians of shades and ideologies. He did not discriminate. He could not become the Prime Minister, but he did definitely shine bright as the President of the Indian Republic.

Pranab Mukherjee: Rise of the political President

Late Assamese singer-composer Bhupen Hazarika will be honoured with India`s highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna, by President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday.&nbsp; 
 
The singer, also an acclaimed poet and filmmaker, was born on September 8, 1926, and passed away on November 5, 2011. 
Hazarika was most popular in West Bengal and Bangladesh and was responsible for introducing the culture and folk music of Assam and Northeast India to Hindi cinema. 
 
Popularly known as Sudhakantha, meaning the nightingale, he had received the National Film Award, Padmashri, Dada Saheb Phalke Award, Padma Vibhushan, and many other prestigious honours. 
 
He was known for his baritone voice and for making music on themes ranging from romance to social and political commentary. Some of his renowned works in Assamese music which audiences still enjoy includes `Bistirno Parore,` `Moi Eti Jajabo,` `Ganga Mor Maa,` and `Bimurto Mur Nixati Jen.` In Bollywood, his work in 'Rudaali' is revered till date.&nbsp; 
 
Names of the personalities who will be conferred with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ex-president-pranab-mukherjee-nanaji-deshmukh-bhupen-hazarika-awarded-bharat-ratna-192802">Bharat Ratna was announced on January 25</a> in a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan, which also said the award would be given to former President Pranab Mukherjee and posthumously to social activist Nanaji Deshmukh.&nbsp;

(with inputs from ANI)

Late Assamese singer-composer Bhupen Hazarika will be honoured with India`s highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna, by President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday. The singer, also an acclaimed poet and filmmaker, was born on September 8, 1926, and passed away on November 5, 2011.

Late Assamese singer-composer Bhupen Hazarika will be honoured with India`s highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna, by President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday. The singer, also an acclaimed poet and filmmaker, was born on September 8, 1926, and passed away on November 5, 2011. Hazarika was most popular in West Bengal and Bangladesh and was responsible for introducing the culture and folk music of Assam and Northeast India to Hindi cinema. Popularly known as Sudhakantha, meaning the nightingale, he had received the National Film Award, Padmashri, Dada Saheb Phalke Award, Padma Vibhushan, and many other prestigious honours. He was known for his baritone voice and for making music on themes ranging from romance to social and political commentary. Some of his renowned works in Assamese music which audiences still enjoy includes `Bistirno Parore,` `Moi Eti Jajabo,` `Ganga Mor Maa,` and `Bimurto Mur Nixati Jen.` In Bollywood, his work in 'Rudaali' is revered till date. Names of the personalities who will be conferred with the Bharat Ratna was announced on January 25 in a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan, which also said the award would be given to former President Pranab Mukherjee and posthumously to social activist Nanaji Deshmukh. (with inputs from ANI)

Bhupen Hazarika to receive posthumous Bharat Ratna today

All roads in Mumbai led to Pedar road where Mukesh Ambani hosted celebrities, politicians and sportsmen at his residence Antilla for his daughter Isha Ambani's wedding on Wednesday night.&nbsp;

Almost entire of Bollywood was present at the bash. From Shah Rukh Khan to Amitabh Bachchan to Aamir Khan to even the newlyweds Deepika Padukone-Ranveer Singh and Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas made their presence felt at the wedding ceremony which began early evening on Wednesday.<a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/isha-ambanis-wedding-mukesh-ambani-brings-politicians-sportsmen-and-film-stars-under-one-roof-183668"> See all the&nbsp;photos of the ceremony here.</a>

<img alt="isha" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="16a082cc-730d-4025-8577-2be938d3af06" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/ambani6.jpg" />

<img alt="isha" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="85e828d9-11a7-4cc9-a36b-2995f7ed3ad2" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/ambani7.jpg" />

Sportsmen like Mahesh Bhupathi, Anil Kumble, Virendra Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and others also attended the ceremony with their better halves.&nbsp;

<img alt="isha" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e55976ae-9631-463a-8ec0-73f1af1f472f" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/ambani8.jpg" /> 
The Ambanis who hosted a two day long pre-wedding festivities in Udaipur a few days back also invited almost all prominent political leaders.

<img alt="isha" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aabdbcd7-b414-41fc-ab91-fb14a0c04b08" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/ambani5.jpg" /> 
&nbsp; 
Hillary Clinton, who was also seen<a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/inside-isha-ambani-sangeet-priyanka-chopra-katrina-kaif-salman-khan-182899"> in Udaipur for pre-wedding festivities</a>, came for the Mumbai ceremony as well. Also see:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/inside-isha-ambanis-grand-pre-wedding-bash-shah-rukh-aamir-salman-perform-aishwarya-dances-with-abhishek-182805">Inside Isha Ambani's pre-wedding bash: SRK, Aamir, Salman perform, Aishwarya dances with Abhishek</a>

<img alt="isha" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d9f06515-a7dd-4ccc-873b-3b144af67184" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/ambani1.jpg" />

The marriage brings together two of India`s most influential families. The bride, Isha Ambani, 27, is the head of the vast Reliance conglomerate whose net worth Forbes put at $43 billion.

Her groom, Anand Piramal, 33, is heir to a real-estate and pharmaceutical business.&nbsp;

The wedding bash took place at Ambani`s Mumbai residence, an extraordinary 27-storey structure known as one of the most expensive homes in the world. It was covered in red roses and decorated with lights and flowers for the occasion.

<img alt="isha" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f9ee8b3d-95f4-4862-88f4-3d669d671dd1" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/ambani%20house%202_0.jpg" />

The groom and his family arrived in vintage cars as security guards onlookers and photographers from the narrow lane in south Mumbai that leads to the residence.&nbsp;

(Images by Yogen Shah)

All roads in Mumbai led to Pedar road where Mukesh Ambani hosted celebrities, politicians and sportsmen at his residence Antilla for his daughter Isha Ambani's wedding on Wednesday night.

All roads in Mumbai led to Pedar road where Mukesh Ambani hosted celebrities, politicians and sportsmen at his residence Antilla for his daughter Isha Ambani's wedding on Wednesday night. Almost entire of Bollywood was present at the bash. From Shah Rukh Khan to Amitabh Bachchan to Aamir Khan to even the newlyweds Deepika Padukone-Ranveer Singh and Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas made their presence felt at the wedding ceremony which began early evening on Wednesday. See all the photos of the ceremony here. Sportsmen like Mahesh Bhupathi, Anil Kumble, Virendra Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and others also attended the ceremony with their better halves. The Ambanis who hosted a two day long pre-wedding festivities in Udaipur a few days back also invited almost all prominent political leaders. Hillary Clinton, who was also seen in Udaipur for pre-wedding festivities, came for the Mumbai ceremony as well. Also see: Inside Isha Ambani's pre-wedding bash: SRK, Aamir, Salman perform, Aishwarya dances with Abhishek The marriage brings together two of India`s most influential families. The bride, Isha Ambani, 27, is the head of the vast Reliance conglomerate whose net worth Forbes put at $43 billion. Her groom, Anand Piramal, 33, is heir to a real-estate and pharmaceutical business. The wedding bash took place at Ambani`s Mumbai residence, an extraordinary 27-storey structure known as one of the most expensive homes in the world. It was covered in red roses and decorated with lights and flowers for the occasion. The groom and his family arrived in vintage cars as security guards onlookers and photographers from the narrow lane in south Mumbai that leads to the residence. (Images by Yogen Shah)

Isha Ambani wedding: Bollywood stars, politicians attend grand ceremony

What will former President Pranab Mukherji say at the RSS function tomorrow is less of a talk, more of a horrified reaction within Congress. It seems that some of the senior leaders, despite the party's loss in 2014 elections, are living in a political cocoon untouched by the transformation Indian politics has gone through.

The RSS-BJP combine has electorate's legitimacy, and nothing matters more than it. The touch-me-not posture of some of the leaders comes across as childish and undemocratic. It reminds me of a famous quote: "If popular sentiments globally have become illiberal then liberal response has become undemocratic."

Congress has fallen into the same trap. Rather than responding to the situation, the party has reacted and handed over a plate of opportunity to the RSS-BJP combine. It makes RSS looks grand and inclusive and grudging Congressmen as tiny tot intellectuals.

There is no doubt that this interaction is part of the hunt for social legitimacy which has been denied to RSS post Mahatma Gandhi's assassination. It remains a sore point for RSS since then. It is this very social and intellectual boycott of RSS which eventually spurned them to erect their own ideation platforms like India Foundation and multiple allied organisations working in various social sectors.

The RSS might cloak invitation to Pranab Mukherji as regular interaction, but it is part of their outreach programme. The effort has become intense and expansive after the 2014 victory. The confidence stems from the verdict which gave BJP simple majority and RSS much awaited opportunity to pursue its goals unbridled in cultural and social sphere which was curtailed because of the compulsion of the coalition politics during Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

On the other hand, consternation within Congress is neither politically savvy nor grounded in intellectual brilliance. It looks more of a knee jerk reaction to BJP's politically ugly and intolerant campaign of 'Congress Mukt Bharat'.

A sensible way of dealing with a former stalwart would have been to make use of the opportunity. Congress should have taken the position that RSS ultimately had to borrow wisdom from a Congressman and they welcome it. They should have said that in all sincerity RSS should listen to wise words of Congressman Pranab Mukherji. They should have said that we hope that RSS shines in Pranab's intellectual glory. The message would have stopped RSS in its track.

Today the response looks childish as RSS's hunt for social legitimacy did not begin with Pranab and will neither end there.

It is also foolish if someone within the RSS is of the view that Pranab Mukherji's visit is an affirmation of their ideology. Pranab Mukherji's visit must be understood in the Indian cultural context where scholars and religious figures have constantly debated and argued the idea of God with each other.

The idea of an ideological enemy is a western import. It is the BJP which pushed this thought electorally when it spoke about Congress Mukt Bharat and Congress should have used this opportunity to expose BJP-RSS double standards. Instead, touch-me-not, elitist attitude of some of the party leaders ended up creating a wrong public impression.

Lastly, a letter shot of by one of the former Congress minister shows selective use of history. Though it is the BJP which generally resorts to selective use of history when it comes to freedom struggle and appropriating founding fathers. This time, it has happened from the other side.

Ambedkar's differences with Gandhi and Nehru were as acute as his abhorrence for the type of Hinduism advocated by the RSS. Ambedkar quit Congress over difference with Nehru. Ambedkar fought with Gandhi. All of this had nothing to do with the RSS.

If Congress wants to stand up to the challenge led by RSS-BJP, then it should stay away from drawing discussions on nationalism and political untouchability and remain focused on farm issues which today is BJP's Achilles Heel. Opposition for opposition sake does not work in long run and legitimacy ultimately flow from the electorate.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ZMCL)

The RSS might cloak invitation to Pranab Mukherji as regular interaction, but it is part of their outreach programme.

What will former President Pranab Mukherji say at the RSS function tomorrow is less of a talk, more of a horrified reaction within Congress. It seems that some of the senior leaders, despite the party's loss in 2014 elections, are living in a political cocoon untouched by the transformation Indian politics has gone through. The RSS-BJP combine has electorate's legitimacy, and nothing matters more than it. The touch-me-not posture of some of the leaders comes across as childish and undemocratic. It reminds me of a famous quote: "If popular sentiments globally have become illiberal then liberal response has become undemocratic." Congress has fallen into the same trap. Rather than responding to the situation, the party has reacted and handed over a plate of opportunity to the RSS-BJP combine. It makes RSS looks grand and inclusive and grudging Congressmen as tiny tot intellectuals. There is no doubt that this interaction is part of the hunt for social legitimacy which has been denied to RSS post Mahatma Gandhi's assassination. It remains a sore point for RSS since then. It is this very social and intellectual boycott of RSS which eventually spurned them to erect their own ideation platforms like India Foundation and multiple allied organisations working in various social sectors. The RSS might cloak invitation to Pranab Mukherji as regular interaction, but it is part of their outreach programme. The effort has become intense and expansive after the 2014 victory. The confidence stems from the verdict which gave BJP simple majority and RSS much awaited opportunity to pursue its goals unbridled in cultural and social sphere which was curtailed because of the compulsion of the coalition politics during Atal Bihari Vajpayee. On the other hand, consternation within Congress is neither politically savvy nor grounded in intellectual brilliance. It looks more of a knee jerk reaction to BJP's politically ugly and intolerant campaign of 'Congress Mukt Bharat'. A sensible way of dealing with a former stalwart would have been to make use of the opportunity. Congress should have taken the position that RSS ultimately had to borrow wisdom from a Congressman and they welcome it. They should have said that in all sincerity RSS should listen to wise words of Congressman Pranab Mukherji. They should have said that we hope that RSS shines in Pranab's intellectual glory. The message would have stopped RSS in its track. Today the response looks childish as RSS's hunt for social legitimacy did not begin with Pranab and will neither end there. It is also foolish if someone within the RSS is of the view that Pranab Mukherji's visit is an affirmation of their ideology. Pranab Mukherji's visit must be understood in the Indian cultural context where scholars and religious figures have constantly debated and argued the idea of God with each other. The idea of an ideological enemy is a western import. It is the BJP which pushed this thought electorally when it spoke about Congress Mukt Bharat and Congress should have used this opportunity to expose BJP-RSS double standards. Instead, touch-me-not, elitist attitude of some of the party leaders ended up creating a wrong public impression. Lastly, a letter shot of by one of the former Congress minister shows selective use of history. Though it is the BJP which generally resorts to selective use of history when it comes to freedom struggle and appropriating founding fathers. This time, it has happened from the other side. Ambedkar's differences with Gandhi and Nehru were as acute as his abhorrence for the type of Hinduism advocated by the RSS. Ambedkar quit Congress over difference with Nehru. Ambedkar fought with Gandhi. All of this had nothing to do with the RSS. If Congress wants to stand up to the challenge led by RSS-BJP, then it should stay away from drawing discussions on nationalism and political untouchability and remain focused on farm issues which today is BJP's Achilles Heel. Opposition for opposition sake does not work in long run and legitimacy ultimately flow from the electorate. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Hunt for social legitimacy by RSS and Congress's self-goal