As a young MP, Pranab Mukherjee told his sister that he wanted to be born a well-bred horse in the Rashtrapati Bhavan in his next incarnation. "Why become a Rashtrapati's horse, you will in this life become a Rashtrapati (President)," responded Annapoorna Devi.
The lady, 10 years older to the 76-year-old UPA Presidential candidate, recalled this in an interview to CNN-IBN television.
She was conversing with Pranab Mukherjee when he had just become an MP. The two were seated on the verandah of his official quarters in New Delhi, sipping tea.
"The distance from his house to the President's House was not far, and from the verandah we could see the path the President's horses would take.
"We could see the caretaker of the horses, grooming the animals, feeding them, giving them water.
"While having tea, he remarked: 'Didi, it is such fun for the horses... just see, isn't it. They don't have to work, they just eat, and just look at their shining coats…
"When I die I will become a Rashtrapati's horse'.
"I then uttered: 'Why become a Rashtrapati's horse, you will in this life become a Rashtrapati," said Annapoorna Devi.
The sister is happy that her prediction has come true. But she is upset she can't go to Delhi to attend his swearing in because of her age.
{{/usCountry}}The sister is happy that her prediction has come true. But she is upset she can't go to Delhi to attend his swearing in because of her age.
{{/usCountry}}"I am very happy, I can't explain how happy I am," she said.
The sister recalled that her brother was very mischievous as a boy.
"He would tell me to wait, and I would have to keep standing... If I moved, he would pull my hair and tell me, 'Didn't I tell you to wait for me?'"
"That I can't see the (swearing in) with my own eyes is making me very unhappy," she said.