140-600: Pranab Kumar Mukherjee (11 December 1935 – 31 August 2020) was an Indian politician who served as the 13th president of India from 2012 until 2017. He was the first person from West Bengal to hold the post of President of India . In a political career spanning five decades, Mukherjee was a senior leader in the Indian National Congress and occupied several ministerial portfolios in the Government of India . Prior to his election as President , Mukherjee
280-614: A member of the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of Indian parliament ) in July 1969 on a Bangla Congress ticket. Mukherjee soon became the medium of exchanging confidential notes between Indira Gandhi and Ajoy Mukherjee . In 1972, Indira Gandhi recruited him to the Indian National Congress along with merging the Bangla Congress into the party. Mukherjee was re-elected to the house in 1975, 1981, 1993, and 1999. He became
420-640: A Gandhi loyalist and was often described as her "man for all seasons." Mukherjee's rise was rapid in the early phase of his career and he was appointed Union Deputy Minister of Industrial Development in Indira Gandhi's cabinet in 1973. He was active in the Indian cabinet during the controversial Internal Emergency of 1975–77. Ruling Congress politicians of the day including Mukherjee were accused of using extra-constitutional powers to "wreck established norms and rules of governance". Following Congress's defeat in
560-450: A bill when it is initially presented to them (rather than return it to parliament) thereby exercising a pocket veto on the advice of the prime minister or council of ministers per Article 74 if it is inconsistent with the constitution. Article 143 gives the president the power to consult the supreme court about the constitutional validity of an issue. The president shall assent to constitutional amendment bills without power to withhold
700-405: A forestry centre. Some of the notable forms of cottage industries of Birbhum include textile—especially cotton and locally harvested tussar silk, jute works, batik, kantha stitch, macramé (weaving by knotting threads), leather, pottery and terracotta, solapith, woodcarving, bamboo and cane craft, metal works and tribal crafts. There are 8,883 small and medium scale industries. Principal industries of
840-545: A heavy mortar landed several metres from their platform. The Russian ministry subsequently declared its hopes to follow up joint military exercises in India with further joint exercises on Russian territory. Mukherjee was appointed External Affairs Minister of India in 1995. Under his leadership, India was made "Full Dialogue Partner" of ASEAN as part of the Look East foreign policy initiated by Narasimha Rao. Mukherjee left
980-454: A maximum period of three years with repeated parliamentary approval every six months. If the emergency needs to be extended for more than three years, this can be achieved by a constitutional amendment , as has happened in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir . During such an emergency, the president can take over the entire work of the executive, and the governor administers the state in the name of
1120-586: A minister in her cabinet in 1973. Mukherjee's service in a number of ministerial capacities culminated in his first stint as Finance Minister of India in 1982–84. He was also the Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha from 1980 to 1985. Mukherjee was sidelined from Congress during the premiership of Rajiv Gandhi . Mukherjee had viewed himself and not the inexperienced Rajiv, as the rightful successor to Indira following her assassination in 1984. Mukherjee lost out in
1260-428: A mix of hilly and plain-land dwelling species like partridge , pigeon , green pigeon, water fowls , doyel , Indian robin , drongo , hawk , cuckoo , koel , sunbird , Indian roller , parrot , babbler , and some migratory birds . Ballabhpur Wildlife Sanctuary near Santiniketan was declared a sanctuary in 1977. Economically important trees are planted here and blackbucks , spotted deer , jackals, foxes and
1400-534: A political point by returning the last instalment of India's first IMF loan. As Finance Minister, Mukherjee signed the letter appointing Manmohan Singh as Governor of the Reserve Bank of India . In 1979, Mukherjee became Deputy Leader of the INC in the Rajya Sabha, and in 1980, he was appointed Leader of the House. He was considered the top-ranking Indian cabinet minister and he presided over cabinet meetings in
1540-412: A simple majority. It has never been declared. A state of financial emergency remains in force indefinitely until revoked by the president. The president can reduce the salaries of all government officials, including judges of the supreme court and high courts , in cases of a financial emergency. All money bills passed by state legislatures are submitted to the president for approval. They can direct
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#17327867120641680-407: A vacancy caused by the expiration of the term of office of President shall be completed before the expiration of the term. An election to fill a vacancy in the office of President occurring by reason of their death, resignation or removal, or otherwise shall be held as soon as possible after, and in no case later than six months from, the date of occurrence of the vacancy; and the person elected to fill
1820-496: A variety of water birds live in its 2 km (0.8 sq mi). Educational facilities in Birbhum district: High School–256 Higher Secondary School–110 Junior High School–95 Junior High Madarsa–10 Senior Madarsa–4 Primary School–237 Sishu Sikhsha Kendra–495 Anganwadi Centre–2407 College–12 University–1 Engineering colleges–2 Polytechnic–1 Industrial Training Institute (ITI)–1 According to
1960-502: Is 0.71 hectares. 6,07,172 people work as agricultural labourers in Birbhum. Major crops produced in the district include rice, legumes, wheat, corn (maize), potatoes and sugar cane. The district has thirteen cold storages. Land with irrigation facilities in 2001-02 totalled 2,763.9 km (1,067.1 sq mi). There are five barrages, providing irrigation support. Canada Dam on the Mayurakshi river at Massanjore lies close to
2100-518: Is an undulating upland that is generally barren. The comparatively more fertile eastern portion, constituting the northeastern Rarh region, merges with the Gangetic plain. Vajjabhumi is included in the Rarh region, and the rest of Rarh is called Sumha to differentiate it from Vajjabhumi . The climate on the western side is dry and extreme but is relatively milder on the eastern side. During summer,
2240-472: Is bound by the provisions of the constitution notwithstanding any advice by the union cabinet. As per Article 142 , it is the duty of the president to enforce the decrees of the supreme court. The primary duty of the president is to preserve, protect and defend the constitution and the law of India per Article 60 . The president appoints the Chief Justice of India and other judges on the advice of
2380-501: Is in Suri . Other important cities are Bolpur , Rampurhat and Sainthia . Jamtara , Dumka and Pakur districts of the state of Jharkhand lie at the western border of this district; the border in other directions is covered by the districts of Bardhaman of Purba Bardhaman , Paschim Bardhaman and Murshidabad of West Bengal. Often called "the land of red soil", Birbhum is noted for its topography and its cultural heritage which
2520-463: Is inevitable when the extant provisions of the law are inadequate. Re-promulgation of an ordinance after failing to get approval within the stipulated time of both houses of parliament is an unconstitutional act by the president. The president should not incorporate any matter in an ordinance which violates the constitution or requires an amendment to the constitution. The president should take moral responsibility when an ordinance elapses automatically or
2660-420: Is known for. Many festivals are celebrated in the district, including Poush Mela . Birbhum is primarily an agricultural district with around 75.09% of the population being dependent on agriculture. Principal industries of the district include cotton and silk harvesting and weaving, rice and oilseed milling, lac harvesting, stone mining and metalware and pottery manufacture. Bakreshwar Thermal Power Station
2800-618: Is not approved by the parliament or violates the constitution. Thus, it is believed that the POI is the de jure head of the state, whereas PM is the de facto head. The President of the Indian Union will be generally bound by the advice of his Ministers. ... He can do nothing contrary to their advice nor can do anything without their advice. The President of the United States can dismiss any Secretary at any time. The President of
2940-511: Is not fully satisfied, on the basis of the report of the governor of the concerned state or from other sources, that the governance in a state cannot be carried out according to the provisions in the constitution, they can proclaim under Article 356 a state of emergency in the state. Such an emergency must be approved by the parliament within a period of 2 months. Under Article 356 of the Indian constitution , it can be imposed from six months to
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#17327867120643080-565: Is organised in Labpur every year in the month of January. Cricket teams from all over the state comes for participation. It is played in the Stadium field in Sasthinagar. A sport that can be played outdoors and indoors and is popular among children is marbles , which involves projecting a striker bead with fingers to hit an ensemble of black or green glass beads. In addition to cricket ,
3220-544: Is somewhat different from the other districts in West Bengal. The western part of Birbhum is a bushy region, a part of the Chota Nagpur Plateau . This region gradually merges with the fertile alluvial farmlands in the east. This district saw many cultural and religious movements in history. The Visva Bharati University at Santiniketan , established by Rabindranath Tagore , is one of the places Birbhum
3360-499: Is the 15th and current president, having taken office from 25 July 2022. The office of president was created when India became a republic on 26 January 1950 when its constitution came into force. The president is indirectly elected by an electoral college comprising both houses of the Parliament of India and the legislative assemblies of each of India's states and territories , who themselves are all directly elected by
3500-482: Is the only heavy industry in the district. The name Birbhum comes probably from the term 'land' ('bhumi') of the 'brave' ('bir') or Bir king '). Another theory says that the district bears the name of Bagdi king Bir Malla , who ruled in the area from 1501 to 1554 CE. Bir in the Santali language means forests; therefore, Birbhum could also mean a land of forests. Situated between 23° 32' 30" (right above
3640-482: The 2008 Mumbai attacks . He left the position a year later to take over the Finance Ministry of India. When asked what legacy he wanted to leave behind as Foreign Minister of India, Mukherjee replied, "As the [man] who prepared Indian diplomacy to address the challenges of a more globalised, interdependent and uncertain world". Mukherjee thrice served as Commerce Minister of India. His first stints were in
3780-612: The Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991, when P. V. Narasimha Rao chose to appoint him as deputy chairman of the Indian Planning Commission and subsequently as a union cabinet minister. He served as External Affairs Minister from 1995 to 1996 in Rao's cabinet. Mukherjee was considered to be a Gandhi family loyalist and the principal architect of Sonia Gandhi's entry into politics, a mentoring responsibility he
3920-525: The Birbhum (Lok Sabha constituency) . Bolpur, Nanoor, Labhpur, and Sainthia constituencies are part of Bolpur (Lok Sabha constituency) , which will contain three other assembly segments from Bardhaman district. The Panagarh–Morgram Highway runs through the district. All the towns and villages are connected by roads. The total length of roads in the district are: surfaced–2,413 km (1,499 mi) and unsurfaced–4,674 km (2,904 mi). Against this
4060-826: The Congress Working Committee on 27 January 1978. He also became a member of the Central Parliamentary Board of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) that year. Mukherjee briefly held the position of treasurer of the AICC and the Congress party in 1978. He was appointed chairman of the Campaign Committee of the AICC for conducting National Elections to Parliament in 1984, 1991, 1996, and 1998. He
4200-856: The Fringe Benefits Tax and the Commodities Transaction Tax. He implemented the Goods and Services Tax during his tenure. These reforms were well received by major corporate executives and economists. The introduction of retrospective taxation, however, has been criticised by some economists. Mukherjee expanded funding for several social sector schemes including the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission . He also supported budget increases for improving literacy and health care. He expanded infrastructure programmes such as
4340-677: The Indian constitution , the president is empowered with the powers to grant pardons in the following situations: The decisions involving pardoning and other rights by the president are independent of the opinion of the prime minister or the Lok Sabha majority. In most cases, however, the president exercises their executive powers on the advice of the prime minister and the cabinet . The president can declare three types of emergencies: national, state and financial, under articles 352, 356 & 360 in addition to promulgating ordinances under article 123. A national emergency can be declared in
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4480-532: The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 . The first two emergencies were in the face of external aggression and War. They were hence external emergencies. Even as the second emergency was in progress, another internal emergency was proclaimed by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed , with Indira Gandhi as prime minister in 1975. In 1977, the second and the third emergencies were together revoked. If the president
4620-590: The Minister of Defence of India when the Congress Party once again came to power in 2004. Mukherjee held the post until 2006. He expanded cooperation with the United States during his tenure. The Times of India reported on the United States diplomatic cables leak release and noted how the U.S. was full of praise for the "uniformed leadership" of Indian armed forces . In June 2005, Mukherjee inked
4760-882: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj named Birbhum one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640 ). It is one of the eleven districts in West Bengal currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF). The district comprises three subdivisions: Suri Sadar , Bolpur and Rampurhat . Suri is the district headquarters. There are 26 police stations, 19 development blocks, 6 municipalities and 167 gram panchayats in this district. Other than municipality area, each subdivision contains community development blocs which in turn are divided into rural areas and census towns. There are seven urban units: six municipalities and one census town . The latest amongst
4900-511: The National Highway Development Programme . Electricity coverage was also expanded during his tenure. Mukherjee also reaffirmed his commitment to the principle of fiscal prudence as some economists expressed concern about the rising fiscal deficits during his tenure, the highest since 1991. Mukherjee declared the expansion in government spending was only temporary. In 2010, he was awarded "Finance Minister of
5040-959: The Rabindra Bharati University and the Nikhil Bharat Banga Sahitya Sammelan ; trustee of the Bangiya Sahitya Parishad and the Bidhan Memorial Trust. He also served on the Planning Board of the Asiatic Society . Mukherjee was nominated as the presidential candidate of the United Progressive Alliance on 15 June 2012 after considerable political intrigue. The elections were scheduled to be conducted on 19 July 2012 and
5180-667: The Supreme Court under article 142. India achieved independence from the British on 15 August 1947 , initially as a dominion within the Commonwealth of Nations with George VI as king, represented in the country by a governor-general . Following independence, the Constituent Assembly of India , under the leadership of B. R. Ambedkar , undertook the process of drafting a completely new constitution for
5320-485: The advisory opinion of the supreme court per Article 143 . Per Article 88 , the president can ask the attorney general to attend the parliamentary proceedings and report to him any unlawful functioning if any. The president appoints as prime minister , the person most likely to command the support of the majority in the Lok Sabha (usually the leader of the majority party or coalition). The president then appoints
5460-496: The legislative powers of parliament is violating the constitution, they can send back the bill with their recommendation to pass the bill under the constituent powers of parliament following the Article 368 procedure. When, after reconsideration, the bill is passed accordingly and presented to the president, with or without amendments, the president cannot withhold their assent from it. The president can also withhold their assent to
5600-443: The prime minister . Such a proclamation must be approved by the parliament with at least a two-thirds majority within one month. Such an emergency can be imposed for six months. It can be extended by six months by repeated parliamentary approval-there is no maximum duration. In such an emergency, Fundamental Rights of Indian citizens can be suspended. The six freedoms under Right to Freedom are automatically suspended. However,
5740-399: The tropic of cancer ) and 24° 35' 0" north latitude and 87° 5' 25" and 88° 1' 40" east longitudes, and about 4,545 square kilometres (1,755 sq mi) in area, this district is triangular. River Ajay forms the southern base and the apex of the triangle points north. The river forms the boundary between the districts of Birbhum and Bardhaman. The state of Jharkhand is at the northern and
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5880-431: The 1977 general elections, the newly formed Janata government-appointed Shah Commission indicted Mukherjee; however, the commission was itself indicted in 1979 for stepping "outside its jurisdiction". Mukherjee emerged unscathed and rose through a series of cabinet posts to become Finance Minister from 1982 to 1984. His term was noted for his work in improving the finances of the government, which enabled Gandhi to score
6020-430: The 2011 census Birbhum district had a literacy rate of 70.9%. up from 62.16% in 2001. In 1951 census, the literacy rate was 17.74%. It increased to 48.56% in 1991. The growth of literacy in the last decade of the twentieth century was particularly remarkable with special emphasis on the eradication of illiteracy. While it is feared that Birbhum may not be able to fulfill the national objective of sending all children in
6160-621: The Bengali month of Poush until Makar Sankranti . Particularly lively is the fair at Jaydev Kenduli . Festivities are organised across the seasons. People of Birbhum patronise folk entertainment programmes such as jatra , kavigan , raibenshe and alkap . Many poets were born in this district, as for example, Chandidas (Rami) . In addition to being a confluence of Vaishnava , Shakta and Saiva cultures, Birbhum villages observe ancient customs like worship of gramdevta ( gram means village and devta means deity) in many forms. Amongst
6300-490: The CPI-M leader Jyoti Basu (former Chief Minister of West Bengal ), and formed new intermediary positions, which included product patents. Then, he had to convince his own colleagues, including commerce minister Kamal Nath , who at one point said..."An imperfect legislation is better than no legislation". Finally, on 23 March 2005, the bill was approved. India Today wrote that Mukherjee's role in "skillfully pushing through
6440-507: The Finance Ministry despite already being Union Minister of External Affairs. Mukherjee's political skills and long experience in government have also led him to head a large number of committees of ministers in the government. At the time of his resignation, on being nominated as the UPA's presidential candidate, Mukherjee was heading several Groups of Ministers (GoMs) and Empowered Groups of Ministers (EGoMs). Manmohan Singh appointed Mukherjee as
6580-462: The House in the Lok Sabha. After securing the UPA's nomination for the country's presidency in July 2012, Mukherjee comfortably defeated P. A. Sangma of NDA in the 2012 Indian presidential election , winning 70 per cent of the electoral-college vote. In 2017, Mukherjee decided not to run for re-election and to retire from politics after leaving the presidency due to "health complications relating to old age." His term expired on 25 July 2017. He
6720-510: The Indian Union has no power to do so, so long as his Ministers command a majority in Parliament As per Article 53 , the executive power of the country is vested in the president and is exercised by the president either directly or through officers subordinate to him in accordance with the constitution. When parliament thinks fit it may accord additional executive powers to the president per Article 70 which may be further delegated by
6860-601: The Indian economy. Mukherjee once again became the Finance Minister of India in 2009. He presented the annual budgets in 2009 , 2010 , and 2011 . The 2010–11 budget included the country's first explicit target to cut public debt as a proportion of the GDP and Mukherjee targeted a budget deficit reduction of 4.1% of the GDP in the fiscal year 2012–13, from 6.5% in 2008–09. He implemented many tax reforms, including scrapping
7000-539: The Indira Gandhi government from 1980 to 1982 and again in 1984. His third stint in the 1990s saw him contribute significantly to the negotiations which led to the establishment of the World Trade Organization . Mukherjee's first stint as the Finance Minister of India was during the Indira Gandhi government in 1982. He presented his first annual budget in 1982–83. His first term was noted for
7140-689: The Manmohan Singh government: He had the distinction of being the minister for various high-profile ministries, including Defence, Finance, and External Affairs. Apart from being Leader of the House in the Lok Sabha and Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee President, he also headed the Congress Parliamentary Party and the Congress Legislative Party, which consist of all the Congress MP's and MLA's in
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#17327867120647280-481: The Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, a candidate to be nominated for the office of president needs 50 electors as proposers and 50 electors as seconders for their name to appear on the ballot . Article 56(1) of the constitution provides that the president shall hold office for a term of five years, from the date on which they enter their office. According to Article 62, an election to fill
7420-541: The Right to Life and Personal Liberty cannot be suspended ( Article 21 ). The president can make laws on the 66 subjects of the State List (which contains subjects on which the state governments can make laws). Also, all money bills are referred to the president for approval. The term of the Lok Sabha can be extended by a period of up to one year, but not so as to extend the term of parliament beyond six months after
7560-527: The US state of Connecticut . This gives it a ranking of 84th in India (out of a total of 640 ). The district has a population density of 771 inhabitants per square kilometre (2,000/sq mi). Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 16.15%. Birbhum has a sex ratio of 956 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 70.9%. 12.83% of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes made up 29.50% and 6.92% of
7700-530: The Union government. However, the Union government can insist on compliance with its loan terms when a state has an outstanding loan charged to the consolidated fund of India or an outstanding loan in respect of which a guarantee has been given by the Government of India under the liability of consolidated fund of India. Under article 360 of the constitution, the president can proclaim a financial emergency when
7840-668: The University of Calcutta and he also worked as a journalist at Desher Dak (Call of the Motherland) before entering politics. Mukherjee started his political career in 1967 as a founding member of the Bangla Congress . Ahead of the 1967 election , he played a crucial role in forging the United Front alliance against the Indian National Congress . In 1969, he managed the successful Midnapore by-election campaign of an independent candidate, V. K. Krishna Menon . He became
7980-597: The Year for Asia" by Emerging Markets , the daily newspaper of record for the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Mukherjee was praised for "the confidence [he] has inspired in key stakeholders, by virtue of his fuel price reforms, fiscal transparency and inclusive growth strategies". The Banker also recognised him as "Finance Minister of the Year." Mukherjee's final years at
8120-569: The absence of the Prime Minister. Mukherjee was sidelined from the INC following the assassination of Indira Gandhi . Although he was much more experienced in politics than Indira's son, Rajiv Gandhi , it was Rajiv who gained control. Mukherjee lost his position in the cabinet and was sent to manage the regional West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee . He was considered to be Indira's likely successor and, siding with those within his party who aligned themselves against Rajiv Gandhi, Mukherjee
8260-433: The age group 6–14 years to school by 2010, efforts are on in that direction. The district has 127 libraries supported by the government, one private library and one district library. One of the most popular outdoor sports in the villages of Birbhum used to be danguli (literal meaning "ball and stick"). However, in recent times cricket has replaced some of its popularity. A major cricket event named as: Dream Gold Cup
8400-586: The area. The region was ruled by Muslims in the 13th century CE, although their control over the western parts of the district appears to have been minimal, with true power resting in the hands of the local Hindu chiefs, known as the Bir Rajas (Bagdi Malla dynasty). The towns of Hetampur, Birsinghpur and Rajnagar contain their relics. Hetampur and Rajnagar kingdoms ruled most of Birbhum and parts of Burdwan, Maldah and Jharkhand from Dubrajpur (meaning two kingdoms – Hetampur & Rajnagar). Minhaj-i-Siraj ,
8540-654: The author of the Tabaqat-i-Nasiri , mentions Lakhnur as the thanah (headquarters) of the Rarh wing of the Muslim rule and an important frontier post. The location of Lakhnur, though not yet identified, falls in Birbhum. The area which is now Birbhum district was badly impacted by the Great Bengal famine of 1770 . Many villages were wiped out entirely, and even in large towns, over three quarters of households perished. The administrative unit called Birbhum
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#17327867120648680-586: The best Finance Minister in the World that year according to a survey by Euromoney magazine. He returned to handling the finances of India during the premiership of Narasimha Rao, after being appointed Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission. During Mukherjee's tenure of 1991 to 1996, Manmohan Singh as Finance Minister oversaw many economic reforms to end the Licence Raj system and help open
8820-490: The bills per Article 368 (2) . When either of the two Houses of the Parliament of India is not in session, and if the government feels the need for an immediate procedure, the president can promulgate ordinances that have the same force and effect as an act passed by parliament under its legislative powers. These are in the nature of interim or temporary legislation and their continuance is subject to parliamentary approval. Ordinances remain valid for no more than six weeks from
8960-425: The border of Birbhum and the Dumka district in Jharkhand. Further down the Mayurakshi is the Tilpara Barrage at Suri. Birbhum is a major centre of cottage industries . Perhaps the most notable cottage industry is a non-profit rural organisation named Amar Kutir . Other main industries in Birbhum are agriculture-based industries, textiles, forestry, arts and crafts. Sriniketan is noted for its dairy industry and as
9100-418: The chief justice. The President may dismiss a judge with a two-thirds vote of the two Houses of the parliament. The Indian government's chief legal adviser, Attorney-General for India , is appointed by the president of India under Article 76(1) and holds office during the pleasure of the president. If the president considers a question of law or a matter of public importance has arisen, they can also ask for
9240-415: The citizens. Article 53 of the Constitution of India states that the president can exercise their powers directly or by subordinate authority, though all of the executive powers vested in the president are, in practice, exercised by the prime minister heading the Council of Ministers . The president is bound by the constitution to act on the advice of the council and to enforce the decrees passed by
9380-404: The constitution to re-promulgate president's rule in a state when the earlier promulgation ceased to operate for want of parliaments approval within two months duration. During 2014 in Andhra Pradesh, president's rule was first imposed on 1 March 2014 and it ceased to operate on 30 April 2014. President's rule was promulgated after being fully aware that the earliest parliament session is feasible at
9520-405: The control of any of the said Governments. Certain office-holders, however, are permitted to stand as presidential candidates. These are: In the event that the vice president, a state governor or a minister is elected president, they are considered to have vacated their previous office on the date they begin serving as president. A member of parliament or a State Legislature can seek election to
9660-402: The core team of Indira/Rajiv regimes bows out. While Rao became PM, Pranab's political marathon too ends where Venkataraman's did, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan ". Mukherjee was "very well respected within the party social circles". Media accounts describe him as having "a reputation as a number-crunching politician with a phenomenal memory and an unerring survival instinct". He became a member of
9800-400: The country "has got the most able man for the top job". Opposition leader Sharad Yadav declared "the nation needed a president like Pranab Mukherjee". Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit commented and said Mukherjee will be "one of the wisest presidents". She further marvelled at the fact that parties in the opposition ranks supported Mukherjee. "Even the NDA broke up and wanted to vote for
9940-412: The country will make further development and progress. I wish him all success and a bright future". President of India The president of India ( ISO : Bhārata kē Rāṣṭrapati ) is the head of state of the Republic of India . The president is the nominal head of the executive, the first citizen of the country, as well as the supreme commander of the Indian Armed Forces . Droupadi Murmu
10080-527: The country. Mukherjee ended his affiliation with the Indian National Congress and retired from active political life following his election as president in 2012. The Economic Times had noted: "[the] decades of activity in critical all-rounder roles make [Mukherjee's] exit both a structural and generation shift. With him, the last of the Congress triumvirate – along with Rao and R. Venkataraman – who formed
10220-482: The country. The Constitution of India was eventually enacted on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950, making India a republic . The offices of monarch and governor-general were replaced by the new office of President of India, with Rajendra Prasad as its first incumbent. India retained its Commonwealth membership per the London Declaration , recognising The King as "the symbol of
10360-411: The date the parliament is convened unless approved by it earlier. Under Article 123 , the president as the upholder of the constitution shall be satisfied that immediate action is mandatory as advised by the union cabinet and they are confident that the government commands majority support in the parliament needed for the passing of the ordinance into an act and parliament can be summoned to deliberate on
10500-558: The district include cotton and silk harvesting and weaving, rice and oilseed milling, lac harvesting, and metalware and pottery manufacture. Bakreshwar Thermal Power Station (210 MW x 3 + 210 MW x 2 under construction) is the only heavy industry in the district. Sainthia is known as business capital of Birbhum and an economically important city. Sainthia is the major centre for export and import of cottage industries. Huge numbers of businesses run in this city and its economy stands tall due to sales of agricultural based products. In 2006
10640-442: The drier western region of the district, the characteristic shrubs and herbs include species of Wendlandia , Convolvulaceae , Stipa , Tragus , Spermacoce , Ziziphus , Capparis and similar plants that grows on laterite soil. Mango , palm , and bamboo are among common trees in Birbhum. Other common species of plants include jackfruit , arjun , sal , guava , kend and mahua . Other than feral dogs and domestic cattle,
10780-403: The early 1980s, started the liberalisation process that flowered under Rao and Manmohan Singh". A Left-wing magazine once commented that "socialism did not grow out of the pipe Mukherjee smoked". Mukherjee was removed from his position as Finance Minister by Rajiv Gandhi in 1984. Gandhi had wished to bring in his own team of staff to govern India. Mukherjee was replaced even though he was rated as
10920-624: The empires of the imperial Guptas , Shashanka and Harshavardhana . After dismemberment of Harshavardhana's empire, the region was ruled by the Palas , under whose rule Buddhism, particularly the Vajrayana cult, flourished. In the seventh century CE, the Chinese traveller Xuanzang described some of the monasteries he visited in the region. In the 12th century CE, the Sena dynasty took control of
11060-410: The end of May 2014 after the general elections. It was reimposed again unconstitutionally on 28 April 2014 by the president. Article 282 accords financial autonomy in spending the financial resources available with the states for public purposes. Article 293 gives liberty to states to borrow without any limit to its ability for its requirements within the territory of India without any consent from
11200-464: The end of the declared emergency. National Emergency has been proclaimed 3 times in India to date. It was declared first in 1962 by President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan , during the Sino-Indian War . This emergency lasted through the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and up to 1968. It was revoked in 1968. The second emergency in India was proclaimed in 1971 by President V. V. Giri on the eve of
11340-522: The ensuing power struggle. He formed his own party, the Rashtriya Samajwadi Congress , which merged with Congress in 1989 after reaching a consensus with Rajiv Gandhi. After Rajiv Gandhi's assassination in 1991 , Mukherjee's political career was revived when Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao appointed him Planning Commission head in 1991 and foreign minister in 1995. Following this, as an elder statesman of Congress, Mukherjee
11480-413: The executive and legislative entities of India shall be used in accordance to uphold the constitution. There is no bar on the actions of the president to contest in the court of law. Legislative power is constitutionally vested in the Parliament of India of which the president is the head, to facilitate the lawmaking process per the constitution (Article 78, Article 86, etc.). The president summons both
11620-748: The executive and legislative entities of the Indian Union. Under the draft constitution the President occupies the same position as the King under the English Constitution. He is the head of the state but not of the Executive. He represents the Nation but does not rule the Nation. He is the symbol of the Nation. His place in the administration is that of a ceremonial device on a seal by which the nation's decisions are made known. The primary duty of
11760-463: The executive or legislature which are unconstitutional. The president is the foremost, most empowered and prompt defender of the constitution (Article 60), who has pre-emptive power for ensuring constitutionality in the actions of the executive or legislature. The role of the judiciary in upholding the Constitution of India is the second line of defence in nullifying any unconstitutional actions of
11900-457: The fifth century BCE. According to some historians, the spread of Jainism and Buddhism in the Rarh region was part of the process of Aryanisation of the area. Based on Divyabdan , a Buddhist text, Dr. Atul Sur has inferred that Gautam Buddha probably traversed this area to go to Pundravardhana and Samatata . The Rarh region , once a part of the Maurya empire was later included in
12040-630: The finance ministry were not considered a success. The NDTV , upon his resignation in June 2012, wrote: "There [had] been a clamour from many quarters for a change in the Finance Ministry, with Mr Mukherjee having faced flak for several decisions where politics seemed to overwhelm economic imperatives". Mukherjee was chairman of the Indian Statistical Institute in Kolkata . He also held the following posts: chairman and president of
12180-431: The financial stability or credit of the nation or any part of its territory is threatened. However, until now no guidelines defining the situation of financial emergency in the entire country or a state or union territory or a panchayat or a municipality or a corporation have been framed either by the finance commission or by the central government. Such an emergency must be approved by the parliament within two months by
12320-552: The free association of its independent member nations and as such the Head of the Commonwealth." The Indian constitution accords to the president the responsibility and authority to defend and protect the Constitution of India and its rule of law. Invariably, any action taken by the executive or legislature entities of the constitution shall become law only after the president's assent. The president shall not accept any actions of
12460-548: The government, trading and manufacturing centres were also looted. In June 1789, the manufacturing town of Ilambazar was sacked, although it recovered and became a magnet for manufacturing and trade. Until 1793, Birbhum included "Bishenpore" or Bishnupur , which is now part of the Bankura district. Until the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny , the Santhal Parganas was part of Birbhum; the district thus sprawled up to Deoghar in
12600-674: The historic 123 Agreement and treaty with the Nuclear Suppliers Group " may have saved the UPA-II government from the 2008 motion of no confidence. Mukherjee played a crucial role in steering the Cabinet pre-Lok Sabha elections when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh underwent a heart bypass surgery in 2008–09 by taking additional charges as chairman of the Cabinet Committee of Political Affairs and Union Minister in
12740-418: The houses ( Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha ) of the parliament and prorogues them. They can dissolve the Lok Sabha . The president inaugurates parliament by addressing it after the general elections and also at the beginning of the first session every year per Article 87(1). The presidential address on these occasions is generally meant to outline the new policies of the government . All bills passed by
12880-464: The main Howrah-Delhi main line at Andal. In 1901, Birbhum had a population of 902,280, which by 1981 rose to 2,095,829. According to the 2001 census data, the total population has further risen to 3,015,422. The following table summarises the population distribution: According to the 2011 census Birbhum district has a population of 3,502,404, roughly equal to the nation of Lithuania or
13020-638: The major attractions of Birbhum are Bakreshwar , Tarapith , Dwarbasini temple at Chondrapur , Fullara at Labpur and Patharchapuri . Birbhum has many old temples, such as the ones at Jaydev Kenduli, Surul and Nanoor, with delicate decorative tiles made of terra cotta (burnt clay). The eastern area of Birbhum is a part of the rice plains of West Bengal, and the vegetation includes usual characteristics of rice fields in Bengal, such as species of Aponogeton , Utricularia , Drosera , Philcoxia , Scrophulariaceae and similar aquatic or palustrine genera. In
13160-532: The most frequently encountered non-human mammal is the hanuman , a long tailed grey langur prevalent in the Gangetic plain . Some wild boars and wolves may still be spotted in the small forests of Chinpai, Bandarsol and Charicha. Leopards and bears are not to be seen any more in the wild. Sometimes during the season when mahua trees bloom, wild Asiatic elephants from Jharkhand come in trampling crops and threatening life and property. Birds of Birbhum include
13300-566: The most notable include Ajay , Mayurakshi , Kopai , Bakreshwar , Brahmani , Dwarka , Hinglo , and Bansloi . Almost all the rivers originate higher up on the Chota Nagpur plateau and flow across Birbhum in a west–east direction. During the monsoon season, the rivers flow high and swift compared to the dry summer season, resulting in a cycle of floods and droughts. The Mayurakshi provides irrigation for about 2,428 square kilometres (937 sq mi). The area now known as Birbhum
13440-536: The negotiations for the Patents Amendment Bill in early 2005. Congress was committed to passing an IP bill, but their allies in the United Progressive Alliance from the Left front had a long tradition of opposing some of the monopoly aspects of intellectual property. Mukherjee, as Defence Minister, was not formally involved but was roped in for his negotiation skills. He drew on many old allies including
13580-462: The northeast of the district, and have a significant presence in Nalhati I (46.64%), Rampurhat II (48.20%), and Ilambazar (47.40%) CD blocks. Others, including religious groups and non-religion population fall below 1% of the population. In the 2001 Indian census of the district, Hindus formed 64.49% of the population while 35.08% were Muslims. There is a sprinkling of other religious groups in
13720-429: The office of the president but if they are elected as president, they shall be deemed to have vacated their seat in parliament or State Legislature on the date on which they enter upon their office as President [Article 59(1)] . Article 57 provides that a person who holds, or who has held, office as president shall, subject to the other provisions of this constitution, be eligible for re-election to that office. Under
13860-686: The officers from the Indian Foreign Service . The president is the first citizen of the country. The president is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces . Only the president can declare war or conclude peace, on the advice of the Union Council of Ministers headed by the prime minister. All important treaties and contracts are made in the president's name. As mentioned in Article 72 of
14000-642: The other members of the Council of Ministers, distributing portfolios to them on the advice of the prime minister. The Council of Ministers remains in power at the 'pleasure' of the president. The president appoints 12 members of the Rajya Sabha from amongst persons who have special knowledge or practical experience in respect of such matters as literature, science, art and social service. The president may nominate not more than two members of Anglo Indian community as Lok Sabha members per Article 331 , which
14140-460: The parliament can become laws only after receiving the assent of the president per Article 111 . After a bill is presented to them, the president shall declare either that they assent to the Bill, or that they withhold assent from it. As a third option, they can return a bill to parliament, if it is not a money bill , for reconsideration. President may be of the view that a particular bill passed under
14280-548: The passing of the ordinance as soon as possible. The promulgated ordinance is treated as an act of parliament when in force and it is the responsibility of the president to withdraw the ordinance as soon as the reasons for the promulgation of the ordinance are no longer applicable. Bringing laws in the form of ordinances has become a routine matter by the government and president, but the provisions made in Article 123 are meant for mitigating unusual circumstances where immediate action
14420-766: The people. I would like to reciprocate the congratulation Shri Purno Sangma has extended. Mukherjee was sworn in by the Chief Justice of India on 25 July 2012, becoming the first Bengali to hold the post of President of India. After being administered the oath of office, he stated that we are in the midst of a fourth world war of terror (the third was the Cold war) and what minutes of peace can achieve cannot be achieved in many years of war. Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh both congratulated Mukherjee on his election as president. Former Communist leader Somnath Chatterjee termed Mukherjee as one of "the best parliamentarians and statesmen of India" and said
14560-458: The population live in villages. Out of total 4,50,313 farmers(holding 3,20,610 hectares of land), 3,59,404 are marginal farmers(holding 1,41,813 hectares altogether), 63,374 are small farmers(holding 95,144 hectares altogether), 26,236 are semi-medium farmers(holding 76,998 hectares altogether), 1,290 are medium farmers(holding 6,215 hectare altogether), and 9 are large farmers (holding 440 hectares of land). The average size of land holding per farmer
14700-513: The population respectively. Other than those speaking the local dialect of Bengali , there are tribal Santhals and ten other tribal communities in Birbhum with some presence, amongst whom Koda , Mahali and Oraons are more common. According to 2011 Indian census , Hindus formed around 62% of the total population and Muslims over 37%. Muslims are in majority in Murarai I (58.92%), Murarai II (75.00%) and Nalhati II (70.10%) CD blocks in
14840-480: The population. Languages of Birbhum District (2011). At the time of the 2011 census, 92.38% of the population spoke Bengali and 6.01% Santali as their first language. The bauls of Birbhum, their philosophy and their songs form a notable representation of the folk culture of the district. Birbhum has been home to kabiyal s, kirtaniya s and other folk culture groups. The numerous fairs in Birbhum start with Poush Mela at Santiniketan and follows through
14980-500: The position in 1996. His second term began in 2006. He oversaw the successful signing of the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Agreement with the U.S. government and then with the Nuclear Suppliers Group , allowing India to participate in civilian nuclear trade in spite of not having signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty . Mukherjee played a crucial role in mobilising world opinion against Pakistan after
15120-404: The president is to preserve, protect and defend the constitution and the law of India as made part of their oath (Article 60 of Indian constitution). The president is the common head of all independent constitutional entities. All their actions, recommendations ( Article 3 , Article 111, Article 274, etc.) and supervisory powers ( Article 74(2) , Article 78C, Article 108, Article 111, etc.) over
15260-456: The president to be Pranab Mukherjee". The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was reportedly "shocked" and "upset" at the cross-voting for Mukherjee by its legislative members. However, BJP party president Nitin Gadkari congratulated Mukherjee and said "I extend my hearty congratulations to Pranab Mukherjee on his election today as the new President of India". Gadkari further declared "I am sure that
15400-474: The president to the governors of states per Article 160 . Union cabinet with prime minister as its head, should aid and advise the president in performing their functions. Per Article 74 (2) , the council of ministers or prime minister are not accountable legally to the advice tendered to the president but it is the sole responsibility of the president to ensure compliance with the constitution in performing their duties. President or their subordinate officers
15540-411: The president. However, in practice, such negotiations are usually carried out by the prime minister along with their Cabinet (especially the Minister of External Affairs ). Also, such treaties are subject to the approval of the parliament. The president represents India in international forums and affairs where such a function is chiefly ceremonial. The president may also send and receive diplomats, i.e.
15680-552: The president. The Legislative Assembly can be dissolved or may remain in suspended animation. The parliament makes laws on the 66 subjects of the state list (see National emergency for explanation). A State Emergency can be imposed via the following: This type of emergency needs the approval of the parliament within 2 months. It can last up to a maximum of three years via extensions after each 6-month period. However, after one year it can be extended only if The Sarkaria Commission held that presidents have unconstitutionally misused
15820-454: The provision of Article 356 many times for achieving political motives, by dismissing the state governments although there was no constitutional break down in the states. During 2005, President's rule was imposed in Bihar state, misusing Article 356 unconstitutionally to prevent the democratically elected state legislators to form a government after the state elections. There is no provision in
15960-697: The results were expected to be announced on 22 July 2012. The nominee of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was P. A. Sangma . To file his nomination for the presidential poll on 28 June, Mukherjee resigned from the government on 26 June 2012. In the election, Mukherjee received 7,13,763 votes, while Sangma had 3,15,987. In his victory speech, delivered outside his residence before the results were officially announced, he said: I would like to express my deep gratitude to all of you who are waiting. The figure has crossed 7 lakhs , only one state remains. The final figure will come from
16100-461: The returning officer. I would like to thank the people of India for electing me to this high office. The enthusiasm, the warmth of the people was remarkable. I have received much more from the people of this country, from the Parliament, than I have given. Now I have been entrusted with the responsibility of protecting and defending the constitution as President. I will try and justify the trust of
16240-442: The state to observe certain principles (economy measures) relating to financial matters. Article 58 of the constitution sets the principal qualifications one must meet to be eligible to the office of the president. A president must be: A person shall not be eligible for election as president if they hold any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State or any local or other authority subject to
16380-449: The supreme leader to his inability to emerge as a magnetic mass leader. On later being asked whether he ever desired to become Prime Minister, Mukherjee replied, " 7 RCR was never my destination." Zee News noted: "The statement assumes heft in the light of the longstanding speculation that Mukherjee, as one of the doyens of Congress, always nursed an ambition to occupy the top executive post". Mukherjee's political career revived following
16520-588: The temperature can shoot well above 40 °C (104 °F) and in winters it can drop to around 6 °C (43 °F). Rainfall is higher in the western areas as compared to the eastern areas. The annual average rainfall in Rajnagar is 1,405 millimetres (55.3 in) and in Nanoor it is 1,212 millimetres (47.7 in), mostly in the monsoon months (June to October). Climate and rainfall chart of Birbhum District: A number of rivers flow across Birbhum. Some of
16660-896: The ten-year Indo-US Defence Framework deal. Despite increasing co-operation with the United States, Mukherjee maintained that Russia would remain India's 'topmost' defence partner. He asserted that "Russia has been and will remain India's largest defence partner in the years to come" while inaugurating the 5th session of the Indo-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) in Moscow in 2005. Russia and India held their first joint anti-terror war games in Rajasthan in October 2005, during which Mukherjee and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov narrowly escaped injury after
16800-655: The total length of rail track in the district is 201.32 km (125.09 mi), including 26.55 km (16.50 mi) of the Ahmadpur-Katwa line , laid in 1917. The Sahibganj Loop of the Eastern Railway , laid in 1862, passes through this district. Rampurhat Junction is the most busiest railway station of this district. There is a junction at Nalhati for the connection to Azimganj in Murshidabad district. The Andal-Sainthia Branch Line connects it to
16940-543: The urban units to have a municipality was Nalhati in 2000. Before delimitation the district was divided into 12 assembly constituencies (AC): Nanoor (AC #283), Bolpur (AC #284), Labhpur (AC #285), Dubrajpur (AC #286), Rajnagar (AC #287), Suri (AC #288), Mahammad Bazar (AC #289), Mayureswar (AC #290), Rampurhat (AC #291), Hansan (AC #292), Nalhati (AC #293) and Murarai (AC #294). The constituencies of Nanoor, Rajnagar, Mayureswar and Hansan were reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) candidates. Vidhan Sabha
17080-454: The vacancy shall, subject to the provisions of Article 56, be entitled to hold office for the full term of five years from the date on which they enter their office. Birbhum district Birbhum district ( IPA: [biːrbʰuːm] ) is an administrative unit in the Indian state of West Bengal . It is the northernmost district of Burdwan division —one of the five administrative divisions of West Bengal. The district headquarters
17220-460: The west. The immediate reason then for separating the western tribal majority areas was the Santhal rebellion of 1855–56. Birbhum is primarily an agricultural district with around 75% of the people dependent on agriculture. While 159.3 km (61.5 sq mi) of land is occupied by forests, 3,329.05 km (1,285.35 sq mi) of land is used for agricultural purposes. 91.02% of
17360-509: The western border of Birbhum and Murshidabad is at the east. Geographically, this area lies at the northeastern end of the Chota Nagpur Plateau , as it slopes down and merges with the alluvial plains of the Ganges . In the district there is only hilly area of natural rock formation situated near Dubrajpur town called Mama Bhagne Pahar (Hills). The western portion of the district is historically known as Vajjabhumi or Bajrabhumi . It
17500-425: The whole of India or a part of its territory for causes of war or armed rebellion or an external aggression. Such an emergency was declared in India in 1962 ( Indo-China war ), 1971 ( Indo-Pakistan war ), and 1975 to 1977 (declared by Indira Gandhi ). Under Article 352 of the India constitution, the president can declare such an emergency only on the basis of a written request by the cabinet of ministers headed by
17640-631: The work he did to improve the finances of the government and for successfully returning the last instalment of India's first IMF loan. Mukherjee signed the letter appointing Manmohan Singh as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India in 1982. He was accused of patronage practices in the Ambani – Wadia industrial feuds. Mukherjee was credited with being an early reformer of the Indian economy. India Today wrote: "Operation Forward, which [Mukherjee] and then Industries Minister Charanjit Chanana launched in
17780-512: Was Finance Minister from 2009 to 2012. He was awarded India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna , in 2019, by his successor as president, Ram Nath Kovind . Mukherjee got his break in politics in 1969 when the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi helped him get elected to the Rajya Sabha , the upper house of Parliament of India , on a Congress ticket . Following a meteoric rise, he became one of Gandhi's most trusted lieutenants and
17920-532: Was active participant in the Indian independence movement and was a member of the West Bengal Legislative Council between 1952 and 1964 as a representative of the Indian National Congress; he was also a member of AICC. His mother was Rajlakshmi Mukherjee. He had two siblings: older sister Annapurna Banarjee (1928–2020) and older brother Piyush Mukherjee (1931–2017). Mukherjee attended Suri Vidyasagar College in Suri (Birbhum), which
18060-505: Was based on the newly formed parliamentary constituencies and the newly formed assembly constituencies have representatives in the 2011 elections of West Bengal. As per order of the Delimitation Commission in respect of the delimitation of constituencies in the West Bengal, the district is divided into 11 assembly constituencies: Dubrajpur, Suri,Mayureswar, Rampurhat, Hansan, Nalhati and Murarai assembly segments form
18200-551: Was believed to have continued shouldering. He was made General Secretary of the AICC in 1998–99 after Sonia Gandhi became Congress President. Mukherjee was made President of the West Bengal Congress in 2000 and held the position until his resignation in 2008. He had earlier held the position in 1985. Mukherjee became Leader of the House in the Lok Sabha in 2004. He contested and won a Lok Sabha seat from Jangipur in West Bengal, which he would later retain in 2009. It
18340-827: Was chairman of the Central Election Coordination Committee of the AICC from 28 June 1999 to 2012. He was appointed to the Central Election Committee on 12 December 2001. Mukherjee was appointed General Secretary of the AICC in 1998. In 1997, he was voted Outstanding Parliamentarian by the Indian Parliamentary Group . After Sonia Gandhi reluctantly agreed to join politics, Mukherjee was one of her mentors, guiding her through difficult situations with examples of how her mother-in-law, Indira Gandhi , would have done things. His talents were on display during
18480-473: Was elected in 2006 assembly elections , which took place before the rearrangement of parliamentary and assembly constituencies as per order of the Delimitation Commission in respect of the delimitation of constituencies in the West Bengal. Delimitation was made effective for all elections in the state of West Bengal that was held on or after 19 February 2008. 2009 Indian general election
18620-501: Was first formed in 1787 under the British East India Company , as "District Beerbhoom". The area had previously been administered as a part of Murshidabad district. The original district was much larger than its modern incarnation. In the late 18th century, Birbhum and surrounding areas were affected by more famines followed by a peasants' insurrection. Although the insurrection primarily targeted zamindars and
18760-523: Was inhabited from pre-historic times. Some of the archaeological sites related to Pandu Rajar Dhibi of chalcolithic remains are located in Birbhum. Stone age implements have been found at several places in the district. According to the old Jain book Acaranga Sutra , the last (24th) great Tirthankara Mahavira had wandered through this land, referred to as the "pathless country of Ladha in Vajjabhumi and Subbhabhumi (probably Suhma )" in
18900-425: Was removed in 2019. Governors of states are also appointed by the president who shall work at the pleasure of the president. Per Article 156 , the president is empowered to dismiss a governor who has violated the constitution in their acts. The president is responsible for making a wide variety of appointments. These include: All international treaties and agreements are negotiated and concluded on behalf of
19040-419: Was sidelined and eventually expelled from the mainstream. In 1986, Mukherjee founded another party, the Rashtriya Samajwadi Congress (RSC), in West Bengal. The RSC and INC merged three years later after a compromise was reached with Rajiv Gandhi. The RSC had fared terribly in the 1987 Assembly polls in West Bengal. Many analysts, over the years, have attributed the muting of Mukherjee's political aspirations as
19180-495: Was speculated in 2004 that Mukherjee would be made Prime Minister of India after Sonia Gandhi declined to become Prime Minister; however, Manmohan Singh was chosen instead. Mukherjee was briefly considered for the post of the largely ceremonial Indian presidency in 2007, but his name was subsequently dropped after his contribution to the Union Cabinet was considered practically indispensable. He held many important posts in
19320-605: Was succeeded as president by Ram Nath Kovind . In June 2018, Mukherjee became the first former President of India to address a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) event. Pranab Mukherjee was born on 11 December 1935 during the British Colonial rule , into a Bengali Brahmin family in Mirati , a village in the Bengal Presidency (now in Birbhum district , West Bengal ). His father, Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee ,
19460-774: Was the principal architect of Sonia Gandhi 's ascent to the party's presidency in 1998. When the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) came to power in 2004, Mukherjee won a Lok Sabha (the popularly elected lower house of Parliament) seat for the first time. From then until his resignation in 2012, he held a number of key cabinet portfolios in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh 's government – Defence (2004–06), External Affairs (2006–09), and Finance (2009–12) – apart from heading several Groups of Ministers (GoMs) and being Leader of
19600-660: Was then affiliated to the University of Calcutta . He subsequently earned an MA degree in political science and history and an LL.B . degree, both from the University of Calcutta He was an upper-division Clerk in the Office of the Deputy Accountant-General (Post and Telegraph) in Calcutta . In 1963, he became a lecturer (Assistant Professor) of Political Science at Vidyanagar College , affiliated to
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