New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee bid an emotional farewell to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at a Rashtrapati Bhavan banquet late on Saturday night, where he recalled their four decade long association.
The President said that while it was not customary to speak on such occasions, “I will make a departure from normal practice because the gentleman to whom I am saying goodbye has worked with me for over four decades.”
Mr Mukherjee recalled how he met Dr Singh after becoming junior finance minister in 1974 and was “fortunate” to get Dr Singh’s advice on crucial economic issues.
“The country will remember your contribution in 1991 when you took a new path in economic reforms. In the 1990s there was a new phase of development when India made a breakthrough in the growth rate,” Mr Mukherjee told the audience of outgoing ministers and leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj.
Dr Singh acknowledged the President’s gesture, saying “Forgive me if I become emotional on this occasion,” and also rec-alled his long association with Mr Mukherjee.
Dr Singh recalled his days of work with the President as member secretary in the Planning Commission and then as RBI Governor. “The President was a valued colleague in UPA who used to shoulder burden as most experienced and senior minister. Mr Mukherjee’s experience and support for reforms was of inestimable value,” Dr Singh said. He added that the President’s wisdom, experience and knowledge is a great national asset. “These feelings have come out of my heart.”
The President treated members of the outgoing government to Bengali delicacies like ‘sorsey paturi’ fish and Punjabi ‘kadi pakora’. President’s favourite dish, ‘potol dorma’ (stuffed pointed gourd), ‘galoti kebab’ ‘murgh nihari’, ‘anjeer (fig) ke koftey’ and ‘paneer pasanda’ were also served.
