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Rediff.com  » News » President Pranab Mukherjee hosts dinner to mark 3 years in office

President Pranab Mukherjee hosts dinner to mark 3 years in office

Source: PTI
Last updated on: July 25, 2015 23:27 IST
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Parliamentarians, who have been slugging it out for past the few days in Lok Sabha over several issues, were seen mixing freely at a dinner hosted by President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday night to commemorate three years of his presidency.

President Pranab Mukherjee hosted a dinner in commemoration of completing three years in the presidency; among the attendees were senior political leaders L K Advani, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Vice President Hamind Ansari. Photograph: PIB

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad was seated opposite External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at the head table and the two were seen exchanging jokes during the dinner.

Parliament has been non-functional for last few days with Congress pressing for Swaraj's resignation over the Lalit Modi row.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi was seated opposite Trinamool Congress leader Derek O Brien and Union Minister Harsh Vardhan along with CPI leader D Raja where a few smiles were exchanged.

President Pranab Mukherjee talks to Vice President Hamid Ansari about the book. Photograph: PIB

Mukherjee was seated along with Vice President Hamid Ansari, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Bharatiya Janata Party patriarch L K Advani and Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

Ahead of the dinner, the vice president and the home minister released four books -- two volumes of Mukherjee's selected speeches, 'Abode under the Dome' and 'Right of the Line: The President's Bodyguard (1773-2015)'.

Later in their brief speeches, Ansari complimented the president for completion of three years and said he continues to enlighten the vision of the people in the country.

President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, during the release of the book titled 'Abode under the Dome', at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi. Photograph: PIB

The home minister complimented the president on behalf of the government and said Mukherjee has done public service with distinction.

The two volumes of selected speeches of President Mukherjee contain important speeches delivered by him since assumption of office on July 25, 2012 as the 13th president.

President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, during the release of the book titled 'Abode under the Dome', at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi. Photograph: PIB

The first volume includes 52 speeches and is divided into five sections -- the nation, Parliament and state legislatures, judiciary and constitutional bodies, armed forces and eminent personalities and commemorative events.

The second volume contains 102 speeches and is divided into three sections -- education, banquet speeches and foreign visits.

President Pranab Mukherjee peers at spine of 'Selected Speeches of the President' by Vice President Hamid Ansari in New Delhi. Photograph: PIB

The book 'Right of the Line: The President's Bodyguard (1773-2015)' is being published in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts.

Another book 'Abode under the Dome' is part of a series of books aimed at documenting the rich legacy of Rashtrapati Bhavan to make the public informed about its historicity and contribution to India's democratic fabric.

After the book release, Padam Shri awardee Shekhar Sen presented a 90-minute mono act depicting exciting life story of well known reformist, poet and philosopher "Kabeer" with song sequences having popular and rare ragas.

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