India’s former president, the Bharat Ratna and a stalwart of Indian politics, Pranab Mukherjee took his last breath at the Army’s Research and Referral Hospital today. He was 84 years old. The news of his demise was forwarded by his son Abhijit Mukherjee. He tweeted, “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“.
Initially he was being treated for the blood clot in his brain and later on he also got Covid-19 positive, which made his condition critical and was on the ventilator since weeks.
Known for his sharp memory, clarity of thoughts and grasp over issues, he took several key decisions during his authority over several ministries. One such was the duration when he became the finance minister in 1982, when he surprised the world by returning the $1.1 billion to the IMF loan.
Surfing the news the President, Prime minister and the whole nation has been paying their condolences towards the stalwart.
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.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 31, 2020
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