Born on December 11, 1935 in West Bengal’s Mirati, Pranab Mukherjee was son to Rajlakshmi and Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee, who were actively involved in the freedom movement.

The former president completed his education in political science and law from the University of Calcutta. Mukherjee tried various professions including teaching and later worked as a journalist with ‘Desher Dak’, prior to entering politics.

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Here’s a timeline of the president who breathed his last on Monday, August 31. 

1969

Indira Gandhi noticed Mukherjee’s talent after he successfully managed VK Krishna Menon’s campaign from the Midnapore by-election. He was elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha in July.

1973

Indira Gandhi appointed as union deputy minister of industrial development.

1975-77

He went on to become a close aide of Indira Gandhi. He was a part of Gandhi’s Cabinet and remained active through the emergency.

1977

After Congress lost the general elections, newly formed Janata government-appointed Shah Commission indicted Mukherjee; however, the commission was itself later indicted for stepping “outside its jurisdiction” in 1979.

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1979

Mukherjee became Deputy Leader of the INC in the Rajya Sabha

1980

He was appointed Leader of Rajya Sabha

1982 to 1984

He was given the post of finance minister in the post-emergency era.

After Indira Gandhi’s assassination, Mukherjee was sidelined from Congress

Mukherjee was sent to manage the regional West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee.

1986

Mukherjee founded Rashtriya Samajwadi Congress (RSC) in West Bengal. After three years, RSC and INC merged following a compromise with Rajiv Gandhi.

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1991

PV Narasimha Rao chose to appoint him as deputy chairman of the Indian planning commission and subsequently as a union cabinet minister.

1995 to 1996

Mukherjee served as external affairs minister

1998 to 1999

He was made General Secretary of the AICC

2000

Mukherjee was appointed as president of the West Bengal Congress

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2004

Mukherjee became leader of Lok Sabha

2009

He contested and won a Lok Sabha seat from Jangipur in West Bengal

2012

Mukherjee was elected as President of India.