Pranab Mukherjee
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- Published: August 31, 2020 17:56
New Delhi: The former President Pranab Mukherjee has passed away on Monday, announces his son Abhijit Mukherjee. He was 84.
His son and former MP Abhijit Mukherjee gave the information in a tweet. “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,” he said.
Former President Pranab Mukherjee passes away, announces his son Abhijit Mukherjee. pic.twitter.com/3SFxmRE21j
— ANI (@ANI) August 31, 2020
Pranab Mukherjee had undergone brain surgery at a military hospital in Delhi. He tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the procedure. The surgery was conducted at the Army’s Research and Referral hospital for the removal of a clot in his brain.
President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted
पूर्व राष्ट्रपति, श्री प्रणब मुखर्जी के स्वर्गवास के बारे में सुनकर हृदय को आघात पहुंचा। उनका देहावसान एक युग की समाप्ति है। श्री प्रणब मुखर्जी के परिवार, मित्र-जनों और सभी देशवासियों के प्रति मैं गहन शोक-संवेदना व्यक्त करता हूँ।
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 31, 2020
PM Modi tweeted
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. pic.twitter.com/gz6rwQbxi6
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 31, 2020
Mukherjee served as India’s 13th President from 2012 to 2017, and was succeeded by Ram Nath Kovind. Mukherjee had been a Cabinet minister in the United Progressive Alliance government, handling the portfolio of external affairs and finance on separate occasions. He was also the finance minister in the Indira Gandhi government from 1982 to 1984 and the external affairs minister in the Narasimha Rao government from 1995 to 1996.
In 2019, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award. In 2008, he had been awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award.