<p>New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to former president Pranab Mukherjee on his birth anniversary on Wednesday and said he was a one-of-a-kind public figure -- a statesman par excellence, a wonderful administrator and a repository of wisdom.</p>.<p>A veteran Congress leader, Mukherjee served as a Union minister in several governments before becoming India's 13th president. He died on August 31, 2020, at the age of 84.</p>.<p>"Remembering Shri Pranab Mukherjee on his birth anniversary. Pranab Babu was a one-of-a-kind public figure -- a statesman par excellence, a wonderful administrator and a repository of wisdom," Modi said on X.</p>.<p>"His contributions to India's development are noteworthy. He was blessed with a unique ability to build consensus across the spectrum and this was due to his vast experience in governance and his deep understanding of India's culture as well as ethos," he said.</p>.<p>"We will keep working to realise his vision for our nation," he added.</p>.<p>Later, Modi thanked Mukherjee's daughter Sharmistha for bringing back several memories of his interactions with the former president.</p>.<p>"Thank you Sharmistha Ji for bringing back several memories of my interactions with Pranab Babu. I will always cherish my association with him. His insights and wisdom remain unparalleled," the prime minister said.</p>.<p>His response came over a post carrying Sharmistha Mukherjee's video reminiscing about the relationship between her father and PM Modi.</p>.<p>"In the world of polity, where relationships are defined by formalities and protocol, the bond between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and my father Pranab Mukherjee stands out as a rare example of camaraderie that transcended political boundaries," she said.</p>.<p>Despite ideologically contrasting backgrounds, their relationship blossomed on the foundations of mutual admiration, respect, and a shared commitment to the nation, the former president's daughter said. </p>
<p>New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to former president Pranab Mukherjee on his birth anniversary on Wednesday and said he was a one-of-a-kind public figure -- a statesman par excellence, a wonderful administrator and a repository of wisdom.</p>.<p>A veteran Congress leader, Mukherjee served as a Union minister in several governments before becoming India's 13th president. He died on August 31, 2020, at the age of 84.</p>.<p>"Remembering Shri Pranab Mukherjee on his birth anniversary. Pranab Babu was a one-of-a-kind public figure -- a statesman par excellence, a wonderful administrator and a repository of wisdom," Modi said on X.</p>.<p>"His contributions to India's development are noteworthy. He was blessed with a unique ability to build consensus across the spectrum and this was due to his vast experience in governance and his deep understanding of India's culture as well as ethos," he said.</p>.<p>"We will keep working to realise his vision for our nation," he added.</p>.<p>Later, Modi thanked Mukherjee's daughter Sharmistha for bringing back several memories of his interactions with the former president.</p>.<p>"Thank you Sharmistha Ji for bringing back several memories of my interactions with Pranab Babu. I will always cherish my association with him. His insights and wisdom remain unparalleled," the prime minister said.</p>.<p>His response came over a post carrying Sharmistha Mukherjee's video reminiscing about the relationship between her father and PM Modi.</p>.<p>"In the world of polity, where relationships are defined by formalities and protocol, the bond between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and my father Pranab Mukherjee stands out as a rare example of camaraderie that transcended political boundaries," she said.</p>.<p>Despite ideologically contrasting backgrounds, their relationship blossomed on the foundations of mutual admiration, respect, and a shared commitment to the nation, the former president's daughter said. </p>