Former President of India, Bharat Ratna Pranab Mukherjee passed away today at an army hospital in Delhi Cantonment area. He was 84 years of age and had undergone a brain surgery to remove a clot. He later developed lung infection and was on ventilator support.

Prime Minister 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.” He further tweeted, “During his political career that spanned decades, Shri Pranab Mukherjee made long-lasting contributions in key economic and strategic ministries. He was an outstanding Parliamentarian, always well-prepared, extremely articulate as well as witty”.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu wrote on Twitter, “Deeply saddened by the passing away of former President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee. The country has lot an elder statesman in his death. He rose from humble beginnings to occupy the country’s highest constitutional position through hard work, discipline and dedication”. “Shri Pranab Mukherjee brought dignity and decorum to every post held by him during his long & distinguished public service. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family members. Om Shanti!”

President Ram Nath Kovind said in a message, “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”.

The news was broken by Pranab Mukherjee’s son on Twitter. “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 & payers, duas & prarthanas from people throughout India! (sic)”.

The flag at Parliament was lowered to half mast. Former President’s funeral will be held tomorrow.

An Illustrious Personality
The 13th President of India, Pranab Mukherjee was a senior leader in the Indian National Congress and occupied several ministerial portfolios in the GoI. Prior to being elected as the President of India, he was Union Finance Minister and was awarded the highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna in 2019.

Pranab da, as popularly known as, was born into a Bengali family at Mirati in 1935. He earned an MA in political science & history and an LLB. Started his career as an upper-division clerk in the Office of Deputy Accountant-General in Calcutta, he became a lecturer of Political Science in 1963. Pranab da also worked as a Journalist with the Desher Dak before entering politics. His political career began in 1969 when he managed the by-election campaign of an independent candidate. It was then that the then Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi recognized Pranab da’s talents and recruited him in INC. His journey ever since had been extra ordinary!

Pranab Mukherjee became a member of the Rajya Sabha in July 1969 and was re-elected to the house in 1975, 1981, 1993 and 1999. In 1995, he was appointed the External Affairs Minister of India, and in 2004, the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh appointed Pranab da as the Minister of Defence of India. He also was the Chairman of the Indian Statistical Institute in Kolkata and also the former Chairman and President of the Rabindra Bharati University and the Nikhil Bharat Banga Sahitya Sammelan. He also served on the Planning Board of the Asiatic Society.