New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today lauded President Pranab Mukherjee in a program held in Rashtrapati Bhavan. Modi said that Pranab Mukherjee was like his father for him. Modi said in a emotional way.

PM Modi said, "Pranab da kept my well being like a father. He always worries about my health. He used to say me why you need to run this much, during my hectic schedule in the elections in Uttar Pradesh. He used to say that take care of health too. It is not the responsibility of the President but he used to do it. Pranab da has always been like inspiration for me.

It has been an absolute honour to work with Pranab Da. Ever since I came to Delhi in 2014, he has constantly guided me. @RashtrapatiBhvn

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 2, 2017

Modi said this in the inauguration ceremony of a book titled President Pranab Mukherjee in Rashtrapati Bhavan. He said, 'I've had a chance to move forward in life in delhi, only because Pranab da caught my fingers. he guided me as a father.

Presented the first copy of the book 'President Pranab Mukherjee – A Statesman' to Rashtrapati Ji. @RashtrapatiBhvn https://t.co/O3So4jphXH

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 2, 2017

The Prime Minister further said, "In every visit, he behaves like a father. I am saying this from the heart, said emotional Modi. Like a father takes care of his child, he has been doing it to me as well. He used to say, 'Look, Modi you will have to rest for half a day. Reduce some programs. You take care of your health Wins and defeat keeps on going but will you also see the body or not. This personality, the relationship works as an inspiration.

President of India receives first copy of book “PRESIDENT Pranab Mukherjee – A Statesman”

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee received the first copy of a book “President Pranab Mukherjee – A Statesman” today (July 2, 2017) from Prime Minister, Shri 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 Shri Ravindra Kumar and Shri 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. He was also persuaded to agree by the fact that a request had come from The Statesman, a newspaper that he literally grew up with as a Bengali. He said that he has had a long association with The Statesman and most of the time they had agreed to disagree.

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 Shri Varun Joshi from The Statesman that feature in the photo essay. He also expressed his gratitude and deep appreciation to Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi who was present on the occasion to release the book.

Prime Minister, Shri 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 for all of us.

The book “President Pranab Mukherjee – A Statesman” has been published by The Statesman, one of India’s oldest English-language newspapers. This book, a comprehensive photographic record of India’s 13th President, covers Shri Mukherjee’s Presidency and documents his various roles including those as a humane first citizen, as a thought-leader , as a patron of educational institutions & the arts and as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces etc.