Chennai to be new Prez's first port of call

Mukherjee is scheduled to attend a function of Madras High Court on September 8, according to officials here today.

Mukherjee, who was the ruling UPA's candidate, had also kicked off his formal election campaign for the July 19 Presidential poll from Chennai.

The President will then travel to his home state -- West Bengal -- where he will visit Kharagpur to attend a function at the Indian Institute of Technology(IIT).

Known to be a workaholic, the President took time off his busy schedule at the Rashtrapati Bhavan to interact with journalists during which he shared his experience.

An active politician all his life, Mukherjee said he will be missing Parliament session for the first time in his four-decade long career as an MP which started with a stint as a Rajya Sabha member in 1969.

"I am really going to miss that," he said in his first interaction with journalists. The Parliament session is due to start on August 8.

Mukherjee also recounted his visit to Parliament during sessions even when only a handful of MPs were present in the House.

The questions at the media interaction ranged from whether he was missing his traditional "dhoti" to possible renovation of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The President said he takes a morning walk at the Mughal gardens where he was fascinated to see dancing peacoks.