President Pranab Mukherjee, on Monday, hosted a farewell dinner at the Rashtrapati Bhavan banquet hall for 85 senior journalists, who have been closely acquainted with him.

As he entered the magnificent Durbar Hall amid fanfare followed by the national anthem, his remarks, however brief, touched a chord with the media.

To the familiar faces before him, he said, "You all grew up with me. After demitting office my doors will remain open to the media."

After his speech, as journalists converged around him, he called out the names and as the journalist stepped up, spoke about their scoops and exclusive stories.

When the President approached this correspondent, he spoke of the scoops reported, which he said could be 'very dangerous and risky'.

Of course, the President spoke in some detail about politics, but in confidence.

His secretary, Omita Paul, the President's Military Secretary and the entire secretariat escorted the President out of the Durbar Hall.

On July 12, President Mukherjee is hosting a farewell dinner for governors, followed by a dinner with the Council of Ministers on July 24.

Similarly, there will be another dinner for the presiding officers of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and with the Leaders of Opposition in both the Houses. The President embodies the Parliament, hence a farewell dinner for Parliamentarians.


Image: Journalists line up at the Rashtrapati Bhavan at a dinner hosted by President Mukherjee