Shubhra Mukherjee :It’s the crowning moment of her husband’s chequered political career

Shubhra Mukherjee

It’s the crowning moment of her husband’s chequered political career, but Shubhra Mukherjee was happy to be at home as people celebrated Pranab Mukherjee’s election to the post of Indian President.

Here are excerpts from an interview with her... 

Ruman Ganguly

How does it feel to be the First Lady?

Shubhra Mukherjee

(Laughs) I’m ecstatic...We’re overwhelmed. 

Ruman Ganguly

Did you congratulate him?

Shubhra Mukherjee

No, no. We are not like today’s couples. It’s not a lovey-dovey relationship and we don’t express our emotions overtly. It’s all in the mind and heart. His love for me is different. Everyday, after his bath, he comes to me, touches my forehead and recites some mantras. He does this every day of the year and yesterday was no exception. We’ve been married for 55 years and we haven’t fought for a single day!

Ruman Ganguly

Any special gifts on D-Day for him?

Shubhra Mukherjee

What else other than love...

Ruman Ganguly

Did you wear a new sari given by him?

Shubhra Mukherjee

Why will I wear a new sari? And he’s never bought me a sari. He is a workaholic. Apart from work, he’s a voracious reader.

Ruman Ganguly

Any special dish you cooked to celebrate his win?

Shubhra Mukherjee

I would have loved to cook his favourite dishes myself, but my health doesn’t allow that. But he loves aloo posto and jhinge posto. All these were cooked as per my recipes yesterday.

Ruman Ganguly

Have you discussed with him how you want to do up the rooms in Rashtrapati Bhavan?

Shubhra Mukherjee

No. He is far from these things as I told you. I only decide on household matters. When we came to Delhi, we had very few things but now there are so many... let’s see how we go about it. My tanpura-harmonium are very precious to me and I hope they are shifted with proper care.

Ruman Ganguly

Who were you missing the most yesterday?

Shubhra Mukherjee

I lost a son right after birth... (after a pause) I’m missing him a lot these days. My in-laws and my mother would have been very happy to see my husband as President. But I know their blessings are with him. My ma used to tell me, “I’m sure that someday my son-in-law will become a minister, he’ll be a very accomplished person.” I used to tell her not to say such things. But her logic was, “You can’t do anything for your country unless you have the required capability and power.” And today, her jamai is the President... she would have been really proud. Indira Gandhi would also have been happy for him.

Ruman Ganguly

Your take on Mamata Banerjee not supporting him as a presidential candidate at first?

Shubhra Mukherjee

I am apolitical. I stay 10 lakh feet away from politics.