Nation in mourning; lost its great leader in Corona pandemic
kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in/ Chandigarh
One of India’s great leaders, stalwart of Indian politics and former President of India Pranab Mukherjee,
who served as the 13th President of India from 2012 until 2017, breathed his last on Monday (August 31). He was 84. The information was shared by his son Abhijit Mukherjee.
The veteran politician was found to be coronavirus positive when he went to Army Hospital for treatment. At the hospital, he underwent surgery for a blood clot in the brain.He remained in coma for some days.
“With a Heavy Heart, this is to inform you that my father Pranab Mukherjee has just passed away inspite of the best efforts of Doctors of RR Hospital and prayers, duas & prarthanas from people throughout India,” Abhijit tweeted.
The condition of Mukherjee declined on Monday morning and he has suffered a septic shock due to his lung infection, the Army’s Research and Referral Hospital said.
“Endowed with perspicacity and wisdom, Bharat Ratna Shri Mukherjee combined tradition and modernity. In his 5 decade long illustrious public life, he remained rooted to the ground irrespective of the exalted offices he held,” President Ram Nath Kovind said in a tweet. Mukherjee endeared himself to people across the political spectrum, he added.
“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: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet.
Chief Minister Punjab Capt Amarinder Singh tweeted “Extremely sad to hear about the demise of our former President Pranab Mukherjee Ji. He was an elder brother to many of us who always gave ears to what others said irrespective of their party affiliation. He will be sorely missed. May his soul rest in peace!”
In his long political career, Mukherjee served as an MP seven times. Before becoming the President of India in 2012, he had at different points of time been the chief whip of the Congress Parliamentary Party, and an important minister in various Cabinets.
August,31,2020
