Presidential nominee Pranab Mukherjee, whose present address is 13, Talkatora Road, says the number has always been lucky for him.
An elated Mukherjee, soon after his nomination as the UPA candidate, told reporters that many people are of the view that 13 is not a favourable number, but that has never been the case with him.
Divine connection
Translating thirteen into Hindi, he said he considers the number as the one which relates to God.
“Tera,” the veteran leader said, elaborating “jo kuch bhi mera hai woh sab tera,” looking up in the sky.
In the Sikh religion, the number 13 is considered a special number since 13 is “tera” in Punjabi, which also means “yours” (as in, “I am yours, O Lord”).
But, thirteen is regarded as an unlucky number in many cultures. One hypothesis holds that 13 is a reflection of the human fear of the unknown.
The number is also considered unlucky by some as it is the sum of 1+4+5+3, the year of the fall of Constantinople to the Turks, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire.
Also, 13 is regarded as unlucky by those Chinese under the influence of foreign cultures.
In the Persian culture, 13 is considered an unlucky number because on the 13th day of the Persian new year (Norouz), people consider staying at home unlucky, and go outside for a picnic in order to ward off the bad luck.
But, in Italy, thirteen is considered lucky.