Pranab Mukherjee Quotes

Powerful Pranab Mukherjee for Daily Growth

About Pranab Mukherjee

Pranab Kumar Mukherjee, born on December 11, 1935, in Mirati, Birbhum district (now West Bengal), was a distinguished statesman and the 13th President of India, serving from 2012 to 2017. His political journey spanned over five decades, during which he made significant contributions to Indian politics. Mukherjee's early years were marked by adversity; his father was a schoolteacher who could hardly afford their needs. However, Mukherjee excelled academically and went on to study law at the University of Calcutta. His passion for politics blossomed during his college days, where he actively participated in student movements, leading to his association with the Indian National Congress. Mukherjee's political career began in 1969 when he was elected as a Member of Parliament from Jangipur constituency in West Bengal. His rise through the ranks was meteoric, becoming Union Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defense Production in the 1980s, and then serving as External Affairs Minister for three consecutive terms under Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi and Manmohan Singh. In 2004, Mukherjee became the first Indian to hold all three 'Gems' of the Council of Ministers - Finance, Defense, and External Affairs. His tenure as President was marked by his emphasis on national integrity, inclusive growth, and social justice. Mukherjee's major works include 'The Dramatic Decade: The Indira Gandhi Years', which offers a nuanced understanding of India's political climate during the 1970s and 80s. His speeches and writings, characterized by their clarity, depth, and insight, have significantly influenced Indian politics and policy-making. Despite his passing in August 2020, Mukherjee's legacy continues to inspire, with his dedication to public service and commitment to India's unity, democracy, and progress serving as a guiding light for future generations.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Development is not a gift from heaven; it has to be fought for."

This quote emphasizes that development, whether it's social, economic, or technological progress, is not a natural occurrence but a result of human effort and struggle. It suggests that improvement in any society requires hard work, dedication, and perseverance. The implication is that we must actively strive for growth, rather than passively waiting for it to happen on its own. In essence, the quote underscores the idea that progress demands action and determination from individuals and communities.


"The greatest tragedy of the life of an individual is not death, but what dies inside while still living."

This quote highlights that the deepest sorrow for a person isn't physical demise, but rather the loss or decay of inner qualities, values, or aspirations during one's lifetime. It suggests that the richness of human life comes from growth, learning, love, compassion, and the pursuit of dreams. When these elements fade or disappear, it leaves an empty void, a tragedy that can be more poignant than physical death itself. It serves as a call to live fully and meaningfully, nurturing our inner selves throughout our lives.


"Dream without dreams, ambition without aspirations, goal-posts without goals - these are the lifeless things that fill a vacant shell."

This quote emphasizes the importance of having dreams, aspirations, and goals in life. Dreams give direction to our thoughts and inspire us, while ambitions fuel our determination. Aspirations represent our long-term aims or ideals, and setting goals helps us measure our progress towards these aspirations. Without these elements, life can become stagnant, lacking purpose and motivation.


"The essence of democracy is respect for the rule of law and faith in institutions, which ensures justice for all and protects their fundamental rights."

Pranab Mukherjee's quote highlights that a strong democracy upholds two critical values: respect for the rule of law and trust in its institutions. The rule of law guarantees that every individual is treated equally under the law, while faith in institutions ensures justice, fairness, and protection of fundamental rights for all citizens within the democratic framework. This quote emphasizes that a robust democracy fosters an environment where everyone's rights are safeguarded and upheld by impartial institutions.


"Politics cannot be a selfish pursuit; it should instead be a selfless service to the people."

This quote by Pranab Mukherjee emphasizes that politics should not be driven by personal gain or ambition, but rather by a dedication to serve others. It encourages leaders to prioritize the needs of their constituents over self-interest, fostering a culture of public service and social responsibility in governance.


The fact remains that secularism is inherent in the Indian system, in the Indian ethos and culture. India cannot but be secular.

- Pranab Mukherjee

Culture, Fact, System, Remains

If the rise of European colonisation began in 18th century India, then the rallying cry of 'Jai Hind!' also signalled its end in 1947.

- Pranab Mukherjee

Began, Rallying, European, 18th Century

Trickle-down theories do not address the legitimate aspirations of the poor. We must lift those at the bottom so that poverty is erased from the dictionary of modern India.

- Pranab Mukherjee

India, Bottom, Address, Aspirations

I come from a political family. My father was a freedom fighter. He was a prominent leader of the locality and member of the Congress party. He spent 10 years in British prisons. In the evening, in our living room, the only subject we used to discuss was politics. So politics was not unfamiliar to me.

- Pranab Mukherjee

Leader, Politics, Prominent, Locality

I have seen vast, perhaps unbelievable, changes during the journey that has brought me from the flicker of a lamp in a small Bengal village to the chandeliers of Delhi.

- Pranab Mukherjee

Small, Unbelievable, Brought, Delhi

The young people of India will build a strong and powerful nation, a nation that is politically mature and economically strong, a nation whose people enjoy both a high quality of life as well as justice.

- Pranab Mukherjee

Strong, Young, Will, High Quality

We must recognise that in a globalised world, we cannot remain insulated from external developments. India's trade performance in the current year has been robust, surpassing pre-crisis export levels and pre-crisis export growth trends. We have diversified our export baskets and our export destinations.

- Pranab Mukherjee

Year, Been, Developments, Diversified

In our generation, the role models were Gandhi and Nehru. We revered them. They were venerated personalities. I read almost every speech of Nehru.

- Pranab Mukherjee

Generation, Models, Revered, Gandhi

As Indians, we must of course learn from the past; but we must remain focused on the future. In my view, education is the true alchemy that can bring India its next golden age.

- Pranab Mukherjee

Education, Learn, Next, Golden Age

India is a land of plenty inhibited by poverty; India has an enthralling, uplifting civilization that sparkles not only in our magnificent art, but also in the enormous creativity and humanity of our daily life in city and village.

- Pranab Mukherjee

Art, City, Daily Life, Uplifting

Indian president does not determine policy. Here President is not the policy maker. In the name of the president, the cabinet takes the policy decision.

- Pranab Mukherjee

Decision, Here, Determine, Indian

I feel that when the reforms in UN take place and the Security Council will be expanded in the permanent membership category, India will have a place, I hope so, but first it is to be expanded.

- Pranab Mukherjee

Membership, Will, Feel, Category

Let Jammu and Kashmir lead the way in the building of a new future for India. Let it set an example to the rest of India and the world by showing how the entire region can be transformed into a zone of peace, stability and prosperity.

- Pranab Mukherjee

Rest, New, Set, Transformed

Propelled by freedom of faith, gender equality and economic justice for all, India will become a modern nation. Minor blemishes cannot cloak the fact that India is becoming such a modern nation: no faith is in danger in our country, and the continuing commitment to gender equality is one of the great narratives of our times.

- Pranab Mukherjee

Fact, Country, Becoming, Economic Justice

In the 1980s, we were advised, why don't you follow Reaganomics or Thatcherite economics. We said, yes, there are good points, let's see how we can fit them in the Indian economy. Every country has its own way of moving forward.

- Pranab Mukherjee

Country, Own, Why, Indian

Teaching was my transition from student life to working life. In those days, our system of education was a little different. The number of students in each class was huge. I think in political science general, which I taught, it was around 100.

- Pranab Mukherjee

Education, Student, I Think, Transition

There is no humiliation more abusive than hunger.

- Pranab Mukherjee

Hunger, More, Than, Humiliation

Our federal Constitution embodies the idea of modern India: it defines not only India but also modernity.

- Pranab Mukherjee

Constitution, Modern, Idea, Embodies

The government of India and the government of Jammu and Kashmir are determined to ensure that every Kashmiri lives with dignity having equal rights and equal opportunities.

- Pranab Mukherjee

Ensure, Having, Lives, Kashmir

No problems are ever resolved by violence. It only aggravates the pain and the hurt on every side.

- Pranab Mukherjee

Pain, Side, Ever, Problems

Of course, running a coalition government in a country like India is a difficult task. More so when Congress leads the coalition, since most of the political parties were anti-Congress. To have a coalition, to run a coalition government, you require a lot of adjustments, a lot of flexibility.

- Pranab Mukherjee

Political, Country, Congress, Adjustment

I am comfortable at the height where destiny has put me.

- Pranab Mukherjee

I Am, Destiny, Comfortable, Height

We are all equal children before our mother; and India asks each one of us, in whatsoever role we play in the complex drama of nation-building, to do our duty with integrity, commitment and unflinching loyalty to the values enshrined in our Constitution.

- Pranab Mukherjee

Play, Role, Each One, Enshrined

India is content with itself, and driven by the will to sit on the high table of prosperity. It will not be deflected in its mission by noxious practitioners of terror.

- Pranab Mukherjee

India, Will, Terror, Driven

I personally believe that the office of the President of India is not to be sought. It is to be offered.

- Pranab Mukherjee

Believe, Personally, Offered, Sought

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