Pranab Mukherjee, former president of India and veteran Congressman passed away on Monday after a prolonged illness. He had been in a deep state of comatose owing to complications following a lifesaving surgery.
The Government of India has declared seven-day national mourning as a mark of respect to the former president and Bharat Ratna recipient.
Mukherjee’s son Abhijit took to Twitter and made the announcement. In a post, he said, “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 Folded hands.”
With a Heavy Heart , this is to inform you that my father Shri #PranabMukherjee has just passed away inspite of the best efforts of Doctors of RR Hospital & prayers ,duas & prarthanas from people throughout India !
I thank all of You— Abhijit Mukherjee (@ABHIJIT_LS) August 31, 2020
The Army Hospital in Delhi cantonment where Mukherjee was undergoing treatment had issued a statement earlier on Monday saying he was in septic shock due to a lung infection. He was in a deep coma and on ventilator support.
Mukherjee was admitted to the Army’s Research and Referral hospital more than 20 days ago owing to health complications.
After having been unwell for a few days, Pranab Mukherjee underwent life-saving emergency surgery for brain clot at R&R Hospital in Delhi on August 10. He had been on ventilator support thereafter. He had tested positive for Covid-19 the same day.
On August 19, Pranab Mukherjee developed a lung infection. On August 25, the doctors found his renal parameters slightly deranged for which he was given treatment. His health condition declined further Monday morning.
Pranab Mukherjee served as India’s President between 2012 and 2017. His career in politics spanned over five decades. As a Congress leader, Pranab Mukherjee held a wide array of top cabinet posts, including finance, defence, home, among others. Pranab Mukherjee was serving as Finance Minister in the UPA II when he was fielded as a candidate for presidentship. He had defeated PA Sangma with a wide margin to enter the President’s House. However, after serving a five-year term as the President of India, he refused to contest the election again and stepped down due to health concerns.
Pranab Mukherjee hailed from West Bengal. He famously attended every Durga Puja at his home town Mirati in Birbhum district. For his distinguished service to the nation, he was first awarded India’s second-highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan in 2008 and then honoured with Bharat Ratna – India’s highest civilian award in 2019.
President Ram Nath Kovind said in a tweet, “The nation mourns losing one of its worthiest sons. Condolences to his family, friends & all citizens.” Vice President Venkaiah Naidu also expressed grief. He said in a tweet, “He (Mukherjee) rose from humble beginnings to occupy the country’s highest constitutional position through hard work, discipline and dedication.”
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.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 31, 2020
“India grieves the passing away of Bharat Ratna Shri Pranab Mukherjee. He has 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,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet where he shared pictures of himself with the late former president.
I was new to Delhi in 2014. From Day 1, I was blessed to have the guidance, support and blessings of Shri Pranab Mukherjee. I will always cherish my interactions with him. Condolences to his family, friends, admirers and supporters across India. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/cz9eqd4sDZ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 31, 2020
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed grief over Mukherjee’s demise. In a tweet, Singh said, “His demise is a personal loss. He had tremendous knowledge of India’s history, diplomacy, public policy and also defence.”
Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Amit Shah, Prakash Javadekar, Piyush Goyal, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Arjun Munda, Mansukh Mandaviya, Ram Vilas Paswan, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Nirmala Sitharaman, Pralhad Joshi, Sadananda Gowda, Dharmendra Pradhan, Ramesh Pokhriyal, Giriraj Singh, Jitendra Singh, Smriti Irani, Dr Harsh Vardhan, Dharmendra Pradhan, Thawarchand Gehlot, and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi also expressed their shock at and said India lost a great leader with Mukherjee’s demise.
Pranabda epitomised simplicity, honesty and strength of character. He served our country with diligence and dedication.
His contribution to public life was invaluable. My deepest condolences to his bereaved family. Om Shanti!
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 31, 2020
Former Congress president and sitting Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad in Kerala, Rahul Gandhi also expressed his grief at the passing of Pranab Mukherjee. Gandhi said in a tweet, “I join the country in paying homage to him. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family and friends.”
Senior Congress leaders Anand Sharma, Shashi Tharoor,
With great sadness, the nation receives the news of the unfortunate demise of our former President Shri Pranab Mukherjee.
I join the country in paying homage to him.
My deepest condolences to the bereaved family and friends. pic.twitter.com/zyouvsmb3V
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 31, 2020
Chief ministers Naveen Patnaik (Odisha), Amarinder Singh (Punjab), Mamata Banerjee (West Bengal), Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh), Hemant Soren (Jharkhand), Biplab Kumar Deb (Tripura), Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Madhya Pradesh), N Biren Singh (Manipur), Arvind Kejriwal (Delhi), Manohar Lal (Haryana), Vijay Rupani (Gujarat) and Sarbananda Sonowal (Assam) also expressed condolences.
The end of an era. My deepest condolences at the demise of former President of India, Bharat Ratna #PranabMukherjee ji. I join the nation in solemn prayers as one of our towering personalities in public life leaves for the heavens above. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/NQxk7DfcQl
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) August 31, 2020