‘Pranab Mukherjee has democratised the institution of Presidency’

only this, the Rashtrapati Bhawan has also adopted five villages—Dhaula, Alipur, Harichandpur and Taj Nagar in Gurgaon district and Rojka Meo in Mewat district of Haryana—under the “Smart Gram” project. The Rashtrapati Bhawan aims to apply and transfer knowledge and expertise to these villages to convert them to “Smart Grams”. This “smart township” model provides for “smart solutions” to challenges in critical domains of energy, water, security, horticulture and waste management through cross departmental collaboration.

During his tenure, the President also inaugurated an interactive, hi-tech and story-telling museum. The museum, built on the erstwhile stables and the garage where ceremonial coaches were parked, was opened in August 2014. It walks one through India’s freedom struggle and its recent history through sound-light-video animations. It has a simulated battlefield with arms mounted on warriors, ceremonial coaches, vintage cars, photographs and memorabilia of the President’s Body Guard, paintings from the 19th century, apart from sketches and gifts received by successive Presidents from national and foreign dignitaries.

President Mukherjee, who is also immensely interested in history, also initiated the restoration of the Rashtrapati Bhawan Library where old and rare books dating from 1795 AD have been brought together in the main library room. An audio visual section has been added to the Rashtrapati Bhawan Library, which has recordings of old speeches of Lord Mountbatten, Rajaji, Dr Rajendra Prasad, Dr S. Radhakrishnan, etc., and Films Division archival material on important events in the Rashtrapati Bhawan during the early years of Independence.

“Sanskriti” was also initiated at the Pranab Mukherjee Public Library (Rashtrapati Bhawan Library) in the President’s Estate under which classes on yoga, painting, clay modelling, music, story-telling and indoor games are organised regularly for children in the 7-15year age group. The children are also provided with healthy snacks.

President Mukherjee also restored several important artefacts, antique items and paintings left unused and unattended for decades. These have been placed at important state halls and rooms in the Bhawan.

President Mukherjee’s legacy of restoration of history goes beyond the magnificent Rashtrapati Bhawan. Almost after 18 years, the Rashtrapati Ashiana in Dehradun, earlier known as the Commandant’s Bungalow, was redeveloped and restored. It was inaugurated by Pranab Mukherjee in September last year. It was also after 18 years that the first citizen of India spent a night there.

According to the Rashtrapati Bhawan staff, President Mukherjee will also be remembered for initiating several “in-residence” programmes for teachers, artists, scholars and innovators and for working with innovation and technology throughout his tenure,.

He also introduced several e-initiatives, such as the online registration of visitors at the Rashtrapati Bhawan and issuing e-invitations for functions, among other such measures.