New Delhi:
Pranab Mukherjee is set to be sworn in as India's 13th President. That number, conventionally believed to be unlucky, has served Mr Mukherjee well. So well that he has refused to move out of his relatively modest 13 Talkatora Road residence, despite being entitled to a bigger house for many years now. However, he now will move from there straight into the world's largest presidential palace.
Mr Mukherjee, in his matter-of-fact manner, has said he has no superstition. "In Hindu shastra, the number 13 is actually lucky because it means Trayodashi. If you do anything on that day, it will give good, positive results," he said on June 16.
He recalled that when he moved into the Talkatora Road bunglow as a Member of Parliament, he was cautioned by many that the number 13 was unlucky. But Mr Mukherjee's career has only gone one way since - up. As is wont to be with Mr Mukherjee, there have been practical reasons for his not having moved house. His wife Suvra was reportedly on not keen to go through the trouble of shifting.
The Talkatora Road residence is not the only 13 that houses Mr Mukherjee. His office in Parliament House is also room number 13. He was also married on July 13, 1957. That marriage is in its 55th year.
And it might be stretching the point, but trivia lovers will say that though UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi announced Mr Mukherjee's name as the ruling alliance's nominee for President on June 15, the real buzz that his candidacy had been decided upon started on June 13.
Mr Mukherjee, in his matter-of-fact manner, has said he has no superstition. "In Hindu shastra, the number 13 is actually lucky because it means Trayodashi. If you do anything on that day, it will give good, positive results," he said on June 16.
He recalled that when he moved into the Talkatora Road bunglow as a Member of Parliament, he was cautioned by many that the number 13 was unlucky. But Mr Mukherjee's career has only gone one way since - up. As is wont to be with Mr Mukherjee, there have been practical reasons for his not having moved house. His wife Suvra was reportedly on not keen to go through the trouble of shifting.
The Talkatora Road residence is not the only 13 that houses Mr Mukherjee. His office in Parliament House is also room number 13. He was also married on July 13, 1957. That marriage is in its 55th year.
And it might be stretching the point, but trivia lovers will say that though UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi announced Mr Mukherjee's name as the ruling alliance's nominee for President on June 15, the real buzz that his candidacy had been decided upon started on June 13.
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