Meeting President Mukherjee

Yesterday marked the birthday of Former President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherji.

When I completed my first solo circumnavigation and made landfall in Mumbai, three Indian Air Force helicopters carried out a fly-past overhead. One of them had the President of India onboard. As I berthed my vessel alongside the Gateway of India and marched up its steps, I saw the Hon’ble President waiting with a keen, almost childlike energy. When I saluted and made my report, he returned the salute and said:

“On behalf of 1.3 billion people of India, I welcome you back on land.”

I would go on to meet him thrice again that year—twice to receive national honours at Rashtrapati Bhavan, and once to present him the first copy of my book, for which he had graciously written the foreword. When I entered his chambers for that final meeting, he rose from his sofa with the vigour of a much younger man. After exchanging greetings, he apologised for a slight delay in receiving me—even though he had just concluded an official engagement in Delhi before flying down to Mumbai.

That simple gesture, from the President of India no less, spoke volumes about the officer, the gentleman, and the statesman he was.

Later, he even included a photograph of that reception in his autobiography, My Presidential Years. It remains one of the great honours of my life.

A scholar, a statesman, and the people’s President, he stood for dignity and grace in public service.

Belated birthday regards to the Hon’ble President.