Mukherjee remembers 'mentor' Indira in farewell speech


New Delhi, Jul 23 (IANS): Outgoing President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday remembered his "mentor", former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as a "towering personality" in his farewell speech to parliamentarians.

"My career as a parliamentarian was no doubt mentored by Mrs Indira Gandhi. Her steely determination, clarity of thought and decisive actions made her a towering personality. She never hesitated to call a spade a spade.," Mukherjee said.

The President went on to relate an interesting incident that happened in London after the Congress' defeat post Emergency.

"I remember after the defeat of Congress in the post-Emergency election, we had gone to London in November 1978. A large number of mediapersons in a fairly aggressive mood were waiting to ask Mrs Gandhi questions.

"The first question flung at her was: 'What have been your gains from the Emergency?' Looking at the journalist squarely in the eye, in a level voice, Indira Gandhi replied: ‘In those 21 months, we comprehensively managed to alienate all sections of Indian people."

The answer resulted in a big silence, followed by loud laughter, Mukherjee said.

"Not one question was asked after that and the media persons just melted away. And I also learnt an early lesson of acknowledging my mistakes and rectifying them. Self-correction in such situations is always a better option than self-justification," he said.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Mon, Jul 24 2017

    We remember Indira Gandhi as the boldest leaders of the world ...

    DisAgree [4] Agree [37] Reply Report Abuse

  • Antonio DSilva, Kuwait

    Mon, Jul 24 2017

    Agree!

    And for a long time there wont be anyone to take it away from her.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sathish shetty, Mangalore

    Mon, Jul 24 2017

    Missed to remember his mentors mentor great Chandraswamy.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Nithin Poojary, Mangalore

    Mon, Jul 24 2017

    This statement is a big slap on Modi who by hook or crook wants to spoil Mrs. Indira Gandhi's image. Modi was succesful in screwing all the Congress leaders image through his fake Social Media team but was not succesful when it comes to Indira. People may not vote for Congress today, but when it comes to Indira Gandhi she still rules the heart of millions.

    Till know Modi was fooling people through Facebook, Watsapp and other modes in Social Media. When all this did not work against Indira Gandhi, Plan "B" has been Introduced and that is "Indu Sarkar".

    "Indu Sarkar" is a movie directed and written by Madhur Bhandakar based on emergency. but Its an open secret that Modi is behind this Movie and through this fake film wants to tarnish Indira Gandhi's Image.

    Modi’s ambition to become the Prime Minister has been fulfilled thanks to “Fake Social Media”. Modi’s next ambition is to become to gain the Title “India’s best Prime Minister”. which he cannot because of Indira Gandhi. Even Modi is very well aware that he is nowhere near Indira Gandhi when it comes to ruling. Then how to become the Best Prime Minister, by hook or crook Modi wants that Title “The Best Prime Minister”. The easy way is to defame her. Let’s create a fake story and make a movie out of it…..simple.

    Lets wait and watch whether this movie will help Modi.....or else what will be Plan "C"????

    DisAgree [8] Agree [41] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Sun, Jul 23 2017

    Mukherjee would have been a great prime Minister instead of Man Mohan Singh..

    DisAgree [17] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Anand Kumar, Mangalore/Dubai

    Mon, Jul 24 2017

    Manmohan Singhji was the best PM of India.

    DisAgree [9] Agree [35] Reply Report Abuse

  • RAHUL, MANGALORE

    Mon, Jul 24 2017

    Hello Henry Bhai ,
    you cannot put shirt in the palce of pant nor pant in the place of shirt.
    they have their own desigantions & place they are looking beautiful.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Leslie, udupi

    Sun, Jul 23 2017

    Democracy has its own dictatorship to be successful over a long time...
    Crafty top leaders have always internal dictatorship in core groups...
    Respect is not earned but governed in politics...
    Pranabda wish you happy retirement...
    Be happy and healthy...
    Thank you for all what you have done for our polity and people...

    DisAgree [2] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse


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