> Prez Kovind, VP Naidu, PM Modi, HM Shah, LG Sinha, Sonia, others condole demise
> Centre, J&K Govt announce 7- day mourning
New Delhi, Aug 31: Former president Pranab Mukherjee passed away on Monday at Army’s Research and Referral Hospital here, informed his son and Congress leader Abhijit Mukherjee. He was 84.
“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,” his son tweeted.
“There is a decline in the medical condition of Hon’ble Shri Pranab Mukherjee since yesterday. He is in septic shock due to his lung infection and is being managed by team of specialists. He continues to be in deep coma and on ventilator support,” the Army hospital had said this morning.
He was admitted in Hospital on August 10 in a critical condition. He had a large brain clot for which he underwent emergency life saving surgery.
Mukherjee was also found to be COVID-19 positive.
President Ram Nath Kovind
President Ram Nath Kovind called him “a colossus in public life,” who served Mother India ‘with the spirit of a sage’.
He described the passing away of the former President as ‘passing of an era’ and said he had brought the Rashtrapati Bhavan closer to the people.
‘His decision to discontinue the use of the honorific ‘His Excellency’ was historic,’ Mr Kovind added.
Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu
Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu said Mukherjee brought dignity and decorum to every post held by him, during his long and distinguished public service.
Prime Minister Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first to pay tribute, saying he was blessed to have Pranab Mukherjee’s guidance since he took office.
“India grieves the passing away of Bharat Ratna 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,” the PM said in tweets. “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,” he wrote.
Home Minister Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday expressed deep anguish over the passing away of former President Pranab Mukherjee, saying his demise has left a huge void in the Indian polity.
The Home Minister said Mukherjee’s life will always be cherished for his impeccable service and indelible contribution to the motherland.
“Deeply anguished on the passing away of former President of India, Bharat Ratna Shri Pranab Mukherjee ji. He was a vastly experienced leader who served the nation with utmost devotion. Pranab da’s distinguished career is a matter of great pride for the entire country. His demise has left a huge void in Indian polity. My sincerest condolences are with his family and followers on this irreparable loss. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti,” Shah tweeted.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha
Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha conveyed his heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of Former President of India and Bharat Ratna, Pranab Mukherjee.
Describing him as a Statesman par excellence and a wonderful human being, the Lt Governor observed that the former President will always be remembered as an astute Administrator who created benchmarks with his high standard of work.
Pranab Mukherjee was an inspirational figure and his great services to the nation can never be forgotten. His demise is a huge loss to the nation, he added.
In his message, the Lt Governor extended sincere condolences to the bereaved family members and well-wishers and prayed for the eternal peace to the departed soul.
Sonia Gandhi
Describing former President Pranab Mukherjee as an integral and prominent part of National life, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday said Mukherjee’s life in the last 50 years mirrors 50 years of history of the country.
In a condolence letter to his daughter and Congress leader Sharmishtha Mukherjee, Ms Gandhi said, ”Your father Pranabda has been such an integral part of the National life, Congress party and the Central government for over five decades. It is hard to imagine how we can do without his wisdom, experience, safe advice and deep understanding of so many subjects.
”His life over the last 50 years mirrored 50 years of history of India for he played a crucial role in shaping the course of events and actively participating in them, whether as cabinet minister, Parliamentarian or as the President of India.
”He served the country with utmost dedication, established a genuine rapport with colleagues across the political spectrum and served our country with utmost dedication.
”I personally have so many warm memories of working with him and I learnt so much from him. Congress deeply mourns his loss and will always honour his memory,” added Gandhi.
Advisor Sharma
Advisor to Lt Governor, KK Sharma while conveying his condolences said that the departed soul had contributed immensely for polity of India, which would go down the annals of history as significant and would be remembered for times to come.
The Advisor said that besides being a Statesman par excellence he was a wonderful human being and an Administrator who created benchmarks with his inspirational work. His demise is a huge loss to the nation, he maintained.
The Advisor extended condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.
Centre, J&K Govt announce 7-day mourning
Centre has announced a seven-day national mourning as a mark of respect to former President Pranab Mukherjee, who passed away on Monday evening at Army’s Research & Referral Hospital, New Delhi.
The State Mourning will be observed throughout India from August 31 to September 6 both days inclusive.
During the period of State Mourning, the National Flag will fly 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, a Home Ministry statement said.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir government today announced seven-day (31-08-2020 to 6-09-2020) mourning as a mark of respect to Former President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee who passed away today on 31st August 2020.
The National flag shall fly at half-mast during the mourning period on all buildings and places throughout the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir where it is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment.
