[the_ad_placement id=”adsense-in-feed”]
New Delhi: Former President of India Pranab Mukherjee passed away at the Indian Army’s Research and Referral Hospital in New Delhi on Monday. He was 84. Mukherjee was in a critical condition and was on ventilator ever since undergoing a brain surgery on August 10. He had also contracted COVID-19.
His son Abhijit Mukherjee broke the news on Tweeter around 5.47 pm on Monday: “With a Heavy Heart , this is to inform you that my father Shri #PranabMukherjee has just passed away in spite of the best efforts of Doctors of RR Hospital & prayers,duas & prarthanas from people throughout India ! I thank all of You”.
President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted: Sad to hear that former President Shri Pranab Mukherjee is no more. His demise is passing of an era. A colossus in public life, he served Mother India with the spirit of a sage. The nation mourns losing one of its worthiest sons. Condolences to his family, friends & all citizens.
[the_ad_placement id=”content-placement-after-3rd-paragraph”]
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, expressing profound grief on the passing away of former President, described him as a “statesman” and an “illustrious son of India, who rose from humble beginnings to occupy the country’s highest constitutional position through hard work, discipline and dedication”.
Mukherjee, who was given the country’s highest honour, the Bharat Ratna, last year, had served as the 13th President of India from 2012 until 2017. Known for his administrative acumen and deep understanding of India’s parliamentary system, he had held several important positions including Finance Minister, Defence Minister, External Affairs Minister and Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission.
Naidu stated: “Shri Pranab Mukherjee brought dignity and decorum to every post held by him during his long and distinguished public service… As President, he encouraged people to participate in innovative programmes at Rashtrapati Bhavan…He was an encyclopedia on parliamentary processes, contemporary political and other matters and was known for his scholarly knowledge.”
Paying rich tributes to Mukherjee, the Vice President described him as an excellent parliamentarian known for his oratorical skills. “His phenomenal memory and quick grasp of the issues were legendary. He took an abiding interest in deepening democracy and strengthening various institutions. He was one of the great consensus figures and used to reach out to everybody across the political spectrum,” he said, adding that in his death, “India has lost one of the outstanding leaders”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Mukherjee had left an indelible mark on the development trajectory of our nation. “A scholar par excellence, a towering statesman, he was admired across the political spectrum and by all sections of society,” Modi said and recalled that during his political career that spanned decades, Mukherjee had made long-lasting contributions in key economic and strategic ministries. “He was an outstanding Parliamentarian, always well-prepared, extremely articulate as well as witty,” the Prime Minister said. He recounted that when he was new to Delhi in 2014, “From Day 1, I was blessed to have the guidance, support and blessings of Shri Pranab Mukherjee.”
As a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, seven days State Mourning will be observed throughout India from August 31, to September 6, 2020, both days inclusive. During the period of State Mourning the National Flag will fly at half mast on all buildings throughout India, where it is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment.
The date, time and venue of the State Funeral will be intimated later.
– globalbihari.com
[the_ad_placement id=”sidebar-feed”]
