President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday said that Indian democracy has moved from strength to strength as the transfer of power from individuals as also from political parties has never posed any problem.
Speaking at the inauguration of the new museum at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, he said: "When I was elected (as president) and before throughout my life I had been a Congressman. When receiving a huge mandate, Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to see me and he correctly pointed out that my political background was different from his political background."
"But that is the constitutional responsibility of Indian president.. not only me but all 13 presidents took the correct decisions," Mukherjee said.
Sharing his experience, he said that when four years ago he entered Rastrapati Bhawan as the president, he had no idea about the living in this magnificent building.
"My knowledge of Rashtrapati Bhawan was primarily to the banquet hall, Ashoka Hall, where I was sworn in as minister number of times, and the study of the president."
"I spent 43 years of my life within stone's throw from the president's house but had no idea about it. Therefore the first decision I took four years ago that people must know about the place and I am happy to say that in the fourth year we have been able to open the doors to the common people upto some extent," he said.
Mukherjee hailed the efforts of the people who contributed to the making of the museum.
"This is truly a magnificent creation, I thank my officers," he said.
--IANS
am/vd
