Kirnahar, West Bengal, Oct 23: Pranab Mukherjee, who became President after a political career spanning five decades, on Monday said being an active politician had not been his aim in life and he wanted to be a teacher.
"My father Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee was an active political leader and a freedom fighter. From a young age I was interested in political developments. But I did not want to join active politics, rather I wanted to be a teacher," Mukherjee said.
He was answering questions from students at Kirnahar Shib Chandra High School in Birbhum district, where he studied from Class V to XI and matriculated in 1952.
While recalling the first day he stepped into the school, a nostalgic Mukherjee said it was also smaller then and had only two buildings. "Today I am remembering those days," he said.
Mukherjee who was given a felicitation there recalled that the teachers were strict and on his first day he was quite afraid.
He was to give replies to 13 questions from students, but could accommodate only four because of lack of time.
Mukherjee told the students that those who could not question him, should not feel disheartened and asked them to send the queries to him, which he would answer.
He was also to meet two or three school friends, who were present, but could not.
The President later went around a permanent gallery at the school on his life and times. It came up two years ago.
