Kolkata, June 30: He started his life as an ordinary political worker. Eventually he evolved as the First Citizen of India. After retirement he wishes to blend into the mass of 134 crores of Indians. This was his last visit to West Bengal as the President of the nation.

Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated an exhibition of paintings of him by 76 eminent artists and released two coffee table books – ‘Pranab Mukherjee: 100 Frames’ and ‘Images & Impressions’ jointly organised by Techno India Foundation and Aramva Publishers at the Academy of Fine Arts this morning in presence of the Hon’ble Governor of West Bengal Keshari Nath Tripathi, Minister in Council Firhad Hakim, veteran painters Jogen Chowdhury and Rabin Mondal, Satyam Roychowdhury of Techno India Foundation, Bahaar Uddin of Aramva Publishers and other eminent dignitaries. The pictorial coffee table book ‘Pranab Mukherjee: 100 Frames’ published by Aajkaal was presented to Pranab Mukherjee by Hon’ble Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi and Chairman of Aajkaal Satyam Roychowdhury.

The President compared the relation between politicians and journalists with that of water and fish. He has been an avid reader of Aajkaal for over the last 35 years, and he feels an indelible bond with the daily.

In his vote of thanks, Satyam Roychowdhury remembered several memories of Pranab Mukherjee. He recalled when he was taking over as the Chairman of Aajkaal in 2014, Pranab Mukherjee had enquired about the daily as he has had a long time association with it. He also recalled an incident where Pranab Mukherjee’s wife Suvra Mukherjee was struggling to fit into an Ambassador, where six others were already seated. When he offered her his car, she smilingly replied it was fine and she was used to that car as her husband often travelled by it. Mou Roychowdhury, the Director of Techno India Group felicitated the President.

A few days ago a reporter asked Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi what he is leaving behind as a legacy after a political career as a minister for 25 years, and as the President of India for 5 years. In reply he said he wants to go back a full circle to where he began.