NewDelhi: Bharat Ratan and former president of India Pranab Mukherjee passed away monday evening at the age of 84. In 10 August, he had undergone a brain surgery at the Army Research and Referral hospital in New Delhi. Hours before his death, hospital authorities said his condition had deteriorated and he was in a state of septic shock due to a lung infection. His son, former legislator Abhijeet Mukherjee tweeted on Monday evening that he had died.
Former president Pranab Mukherjee died of multiple organ failure on Monday after being admitted to hospital three weeks ago, having also contracted coronavirus.
A senior leader of Congress party and family friend who served in multiple cabinets during five decades, Bharat Ratan Pranab Mukherjee had emergency surgery for a blood clot in his brain on August 10 at New Delhi’s Army Hospital with Research and Referral after suffering a fall.
The hospital said he tested positive for COVID-19 after the surgery and his condition was critical. He remained in a coma after the surgery.
The hospital said his health began declining on Monday after a lung infection resulted in septic shock.
Former President Bharat Ratna Pranab Mukherjee was Tuesday cremated with state honours at the Lodhi Road crematorium. Earlier in the day, his body was kept at his residence in the national capital where leaders, including President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi paid their last respects to former president.
Ex President Pranab Mukherjee, in his decades very long political career, served as a Member of Parliament seven times, serving in the cabinet of several prime ministers during congress govt’s. In 2012, Pranab Mukherjee was elected President of India.
“His demise is passing of an era,” the office of Indian President Ram Nath Kovind said in a Twitter post.
“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. Endowed with perspicacity and wisdom, Bharat Ratna Shri Mukherjee combined tradition and modernity. In his 5 decades long illustrious public life, he remained rooted to the ground irrespective of the exalted offices he held. He endeared himself to people across the political spectrum,” President Ram Nath Kovind said in a message.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “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 & by all sections of society.”
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted
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.
Bureau Report
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