The second volume of memoirs of President Pranab Mukherjee titled The Turbulent Years – 1980-1996 was released today at a function held in Rashtrapati Bhavan. The book was released by Vice President Hamid Ansari. <br/><br/>Speaking on the occasion, the President said he has had the good fortune to be a witness and sometimes a participant in many momentous events of the 80s and 90s and this volume is an account of major events from his perspective. Mr Mukherjee said, he has the habit of writing a page in his diary every day and the basic material in this book are from his own diaries. <br/><br/>The President said, he has however, adopted a conservative approach. Mr Mukherjee said, he has held many sensitive posts over his long career in public service and was bound by oath not to divulge any information he may have come to know as Minister and it is his conviction that some facts are never to be revealed. <br/><br/>Speaking on the occasion, Mr Ansari said the book is a commentary on the times and the age in which we live and it has several pertinent observations on the nature of Indian polity and Indian federalism which needs to be read carefully. <br/><br/>Commenting on the book, senior Member of Parliament, Dr. Karan Singh said, the book is of great value because of the assessment of various personalities in it, description of major events of the period and the light it throws on important economic issues of that time. He said the most fascinating aspect of the book is the description of President's political career with its remarkable ups and downs. <br/><br/>Editor of Pioneer, Dr Chandan Mitra, said the book shows that Mr Mukherjee was a keen observer of events with an unparalleled memory and strong commitment to democracy. <br/><br/>He said, the candour with which Mr Mukherjee approaches events is the highlight of this book. He said this book should be made mandatory reading for every student of political science and be part of university curricula.