FLO Indore, under the leadership of Chairperson CA Shweta Agarwal, in collaboration with the Indore Literature Festival, hosted a special session titled “Pranab My Father – A Daughter Remembers,” featuring author and Kathak dancer Ms. Sharmistha Pranab Mukherjee, daughter of the late former President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee.
The event offered a rare and intimate glimpse into the personal and political legacy of one of India’s most respected statesmen. The session was moderated by Ms. CA Shweta Agrawal (Chairperson, FLO Indore) and Ms. Aastha Shastri.
During the discussion, Ms. Sharmistha revealed that Shri Pranab Mukherjee wrote in his personal diary every single night, without fail—never skipping his morning walk, prayer, or daily diary entry. The diary remained completely private, and he never allowed anyone to touch it.
After his passing, Ms. Sharmistha took it upon herself to turn these deeply personal writings into a book, preserving his thoughts, reflections, and legacy.
She added that she has deliberately chosen not to reveal much from the diary yet, as she believes that readers should experience its contents firsthand. She noted that a large part of the diary contains political insights, and she does not wish to name individuals unnecessarily or create controversy.
Highlighting Shri Mukherjee’s disciplined and principled nature, she shared that he never allowed his political life to interfere with his personal one. While he shared a cordial friendship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his loyalty to the Congress Party remained unwavering throughout his career.
Ms. Sharmistha also shared that Shri Mukherjee often said he owed his success to Smt. Indira Gandhi, who recognized the potential of a young man from a rural background and gave him the opportunity to rise in national politics. The session ended with an engaging Q&A, followed by a warm fellowship lunch, leaving the audience enriched by heartfelt memories and untold stories of the late statesman.