When Pranab Mukherjee's first Budget didn't meet jurist Nani Palkhivala's expectations

After years of research into the life of one of his closest friends, Dr Dharmendra Bhandari, a Mumbai-based chartered accountant, was able to tell the story of Nani Palkhivala, the eminent jurist who was called the ‘conscience-keeper of the nation’. Dr Bhandari recently presented the first copy of his book, Nani Palkhivala – God’s Gift to India (Biography by a Friend) , to President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

On receiving the book, President Mukherjee said, “Nani Palkhivala was a giant. His annual budget speeches in Mumbai became an institution. Unfortunately, no one could carry on this tradition. I still remember how, after I delivered my first budget, he remarked that it fell below his expectations from me. I wrote to him, agreeing with his remark! You don’t see men like that anymore.”


(Dr Dharmendra Bhandari presents the book to ​President Mukherjee, BCCL)

For Dr Bhandari, who has also written RK Laxman – The Uncommom Man, this release is a dream come true. His book is available on amazon.in.