Dr K. R. Narayanan: The President I Knew, The Memories I Cherish

Some people leave behind a legacy that becomes part of history. Others leave memories that remain alive in the hearts of those who knew them personally. Dr Kocheril Raman Narayanan, India’s 10th President, was one such person for a journalist who had the opportunity to travel with him to several countries and learn from him at close quarters.

Born into a poor family in Kerala, Dr Narayanan rose to occupy the highest constitutional office in India. His journey through journalism, diplomacy and politics was remarkable. Belonging to the Dalit community, he did not allow caste to define his identity or determine the limits of his ambitions. Above all, he was a sensitive and thoughtful human being.

Dr Narayanan was married to Usha Narayanan, a Burmese journalist whom he married for love. The couple had two daughters and shared a gentle, approachable nature that made their company memorable.

For the journalist recounting these experiences, the association with Dr Narayanan began with an official foreign tour in 1998. Over the years, he had the privilege of accompanying the President on visits to more than seven countries. Those journeys brought professional experiences, personal memories and valuable lessons that he continues to cherish.

A President Who Was Never Afraid to Speak His Mind
One of the strongest memories from those travels concerns Dr Narayanan’s admiration for Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

According to the journalist, the President praised the BJP government led by Vajpayee on several occasions, both in India and abroad. He expressed his views openly, offering thoughtful observations without worrying about whether they would please everyone politically.

His appreciation for the Vajpayee government reportedly upset some Congress leaders and friends, who criticised him for his position. But Dr Narayanan did not allow such criticism to stop him from expressing his views.

An incident during a visit to Germany remains particularly vivid in the journalist’s memory.

At a major event organised by the German Society for Foreign Affairs, Dr Narayanan spoke emphatically in praise of the BJP-led government headed by Vajpayee. The journalist recalls that his remarks were warmly received by those present.

Among the journalists travelling with the presidential delegation were Sunil Adam, then Managing Editor of The Pioneer, and Sagarika Ghose, who was associated with Outlook magazine. According to the journalist, the President’s remarks did not go down well with them.

Germany Visit and a Press Controversy
During the tour, press clippings from India reached the delegation. The journalist recalls that the President’s Press Secretary, T. P. Sitaram, shared the clippings with the group and strongly criticised Sunil Adam’s reporting, describing it as contrary to national policy and sentiment. Union Minister Kumar Mangalam was also travelling with the delegation.

The episode eventually led to a special press conference addressed by Dr Narayanan, who rebutted Adam’s report.

As the journalist remembers it, the President made his position clear: the BJP-led government under Vajpayee was the elected government of India, and Vajpayee was the country’s democratically elected Prime Minister. As President, Dr Narayanan represented the nation and its constitutional institutions.

For the journalist, this was a defining moment of the tour. He remembers it as an example of a President who understood his constitutional responsibilities and was prepared to clarify his position when he believed it was necessary.

The controversy, however, remained a subject of disagreement during the rest of the visit. The journalist recalls that Adam and Ghose appeared upset by the episode. He also describes occasions during flights and social gatherings when, after heavy drinking, they needed assistance returning to their seats. These are personal recollections and have not been independently verified.

The journalist says he continues to disagree with what he perceived as their hostility towards the BJP and their attitude towards India. Their exchanges could be equally sharp. He recalls that they called him a Sanghi, while he responded by calling them desh drohi.

Neither side was willing to back down. Looking back, he remembers those arguments as part of a journey marked by strong opinions, professional encounters and political differences.

Ghose later became a Trinamool Congress member of Parliament, while Adam eventually settled in the United States, according to the journalist’s account.

Beyond Politics, the Memories of a Great Human Being
For the journalist, however, the most meaningful part of his association with Dr Narayanan was not the controversy in Germany or the political differences surrounding it. It was the opportunity to know the man beyond the presidential office.

Dr Narayanan had been a journalist himself before becoming a diplomat, politician and statesman. He understood the profession and the responsibilities that came with public life. His international experience gave him a wider perspective, while his years in office placed him at the centre of India’s constitutional system.

The journalist says he learned many valuable lessons from their conversations and from observing the President during their travels. His insights on life and career remain among the most cherished takeaways from that association.

He also remembers the wonderful rapport between Dr Narayanan, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Shri L. K. Advani. The understanding and chemistry he recalls among the three leaders remain a special part of his memories.

These were experiences that went beyond official schedules and formal meetings. They offered him a glimpse of the personalities behind the public roles and gave him memories he continues to value.

Two Photographs That Bring the Memories Alive
Two photographs from those journeys hold a special place in the journalist’s collection.

One was taken aboard an aircraft. The other captures a moment when Dr Narayanan introduced him to the President of Austria. For the journalist, that introduction was a historic and deeply personal experience.

Even today, the photographs bring back the journeys, the conversations and the privilege of accompanying the President on official visits. They represent an important chapter in his professional life and remind him of the people and experiences that shaped it.

Dr K. R. Narayanan’s journey from a poor family in Kerala to the Presidency of India remains an extraordinary part of the country’s democratic story. His life brought together journalism, diplomacy, politics and constitutional service.

For the journalist who travelled with him, the memories are also deeply personal: the warmth of the Narayanan couple, the lessons learned along the way, the political exchanges and the opportunity to witness moments that have stayed with him for decades.

On his birth anniversary, the journalist pays tribute to Dr K. R. Narayanan, remembering him not only as India’s 10th President but also as a man of conviction, sensitivity and humanity.

His photographs and recollections preserve a personal connection to a remarkable chapter of Indian public life—a chapter he says he will always remember with respect and gratitude.