Pranab Mukherjee shares heart melting letter from Modi on last day in office
It is rare that a letter from a serving prime minister to a president in office finds its way to the public domain.
But there is a special reason why Pranab Mukherjee has shared a letter from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his last day in office as the president of India.
The letter from Modi, Mukherjee said, had touched his heart, reports our New Delhi correspondent.
"On my last day in office as the President, I received a letter from PM @narendramodi that touched my heart! Sharing with you all," Mukherjee, former Indian president, tweeted today.
A copy of the letter was also put on Indian government’s official website today.
In the letter, Modi addressed Mukherjee as “Pranab Da” and described him- as his "father figure and mentor".
The Indian PM paid tribute to Mukherjee's "simplicity, high principles and exemplary leadership" and expressed his “profound admiration and gratitude”.
"Three years ago, I came to New Delhi as an outsider. The task before me was huge and challenging. In these times, you have always been a father figure and a mentor to me. Your wisdom, guidance and personal warmth have given me greater confidence and strength," Modi wrote in the letter.
Modi became the prime minister resigning as the chief minister of Gujarat state after his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won a landslide victory in the parliamentary elections in May 2014.
Mukherjee became President in July 2012, two years before BJP came to power after decimating Congress, the party he served for decades in various posts including federal minister.
Describing Mukherjee as a repository of knowledge, Modi mentioned in the letter about his intellectual prowess and added that it "constantly helped my government and me".
The Indian PM referred to a phone call Mukherjee had made to him. "Your one phone call asking me 'I hope you are taking care of your health' was enough to fill me with fresh energy after a long day at meetings or on a campaign tour."
"You have been so warm, affectionate and caring to me," Modi said.
He also said that despite their different political journeys, they were able to work together. "Pranab Da, our political journeys took shape in different political parties. Our ideologies, at times, have been different. Our experiences are also varied...Yet, such is the strength of your intellect and wisdom that we were able to work together with synergy.”
"You belong to a generation of leaders for whom politics was simply a means to selflessly give back to society," Modi wrote.
Modi ended the letter with these words: "Rashtrapati ji, it has been an honour to work with you, as your Prime Minister!"