INDIA LOSES ITS PEOPLE’S PRESIDENT
Glorious tributes flow as Bharat Ratna and former President Pranab Mukherjee dies at 84
Former President Pranab Mukherjee passed away on Monday after 3 weeks of hospitalisation in the Indian Army’s Research & Referral Hospital after a fall in his Rajaji Marg house. He had also been detected with Covid infection. He was 84.
The blood clot in his brain due to fall was removed the same day but he had complications from which he could not recover. Only Monday morning, doctors said he was in septic shock due to infection in his lung.
His son and ex-MP Abhijit Mukherjee broke the news of his death on Twitter. "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."
A quintessential Congressman for five decades, the seven-time parliamentarian, the diminutive Mukherjee was a formidable political strategist, draftsman with astute sharpest mind and known for the prime troubleshooter of the Congress for decades.
He first made it to Indira Gandhi’s council of ministers in 1972 and never looked back, going on to hold some of the most powerful portfolios -- finance, commerce, external affairs and defence -- in the Congress governments. He was elected as India's 13th president in 2012. In January 2019, he was awarded the country's highest civilian award of Bharat Ratna by Prime Minister Modi, describing him as the "outstanding statesman of our times."
The veteran politician who would often speak of his humble beginnings and his amazing journey from the flickers of a lamp in a small Bengal village to the chandeliers of Delhi.
Condolences poured in from all quarters, including the Prime Minister, President and Vice-President. "He was an encyclopedia on parliamentary processes, contemporary political and other matters and was known for his scholarly knowledge. His phenomenal memory and quick grasp of the issues were legendary,” said Naidu.
Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel, who used to go to the Rashtrapati Bhawan for Mukherjee's advice even after he became the President, tweeted: "I am devastated to hear about Pranab da’s demise . He was like my elder brother. His demise has left a permanent vacuum in India’s public life. He was an encyclopaedia of Indian politics."