Pranab Babu Whom We Knew

 Pranab Babu Whom We Knew

Recalling days of steadfast innings, Pranab Babu had the coveted honour of being the Chief Guest in School Function when we were in Delhi Public School (DPS) R K Puram. At that time he was part of Indira's Cabinet holding sumptuous portfolios with an eye for detail. That was early and approaching mid-80s. He shared uneasy equation with the party chief later in mid-80s almost cold shouldered for few years. He won back party chief confidence and returned to the party with unassuming intent. 

First admission of the fact that we never met him in person and yet he catched eyeballs after eyeballs for his deft moves in political theatre. Finance was the arena where Pranab Babu excelled and his presentation of more than one budget saw him play to the gallery. Cutting across party lines he won support for his candidature to President's Post. In fact one news anchor of NDTV 24X7 put it as "Done Deal"in 2012 when Pranab Babu won almost entire support of parties across political spectrum and was all set to be India's President with elections a mere formality. Some of the events we could recollect was his annual sojourn to his home town in West Bengal State for Durga Pujo festivity. He did not buck this trend even after moving into Rashtrapati Bhawan (President House). It was he who coined State Actor term to describe the antecedents of Mumbai attack perpetrators in 2008. What we can recall with ease is his visit to Cambodia in January 1996 when we were posted there as India's representative. His intervention and dollop of support led to renovation/installation of a full fledged Kali Bari in Safdarjung Enclave which everyone cherished for the energy and impetus it brimmed with every Durga Pujo celebration.

Pranab Babu would be remembered for his versatility and contribution to Indian Polity and a man who brought effervescence and freshness to the varied assignments furnished to him. In fact the goals he set out to achieve were never out of reach and he pole vaulting to President's Office illustrates that. He had a buddy in every political party of India and that sums up the man and his mission. Likes of him would be hard to trace in Indian Polity and he would be remembered for centuries to come.