Former President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, died on Monday evening in New Delhi. He was 84. Mukherjee was President of India from 2012-17 and had received the Bharat Ratna last year.
He had tested positive for COVID-19 and had been in coma after a brain surgery earlier this month. His son Abhijit Mukherjee tweeted: “With a heavy heart, this is to inform you that my father Shri Pranab Mukherjee has just passed away inspite of the best efforts of doctors of RR Hospital and prayers, duas and prarthanas from people throughout India! I thank all of you.”
Mukherjee was admitted to hospital on August 10 and underwent a brain surgery for removing a brain clot. He had tested positive for COVID-19 and he had written on Twitter about the COVID-19 report, asking those who had come in contact with him to isolate themselves and to get tested. After the surgery, he had developed a lung infection among other complications.
The Centre has announced seven days of state mourning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on Twitter: “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 and by all sections of society”. PM Modi added that he was “blessed to have the guidance, support and blessings” of Mukherjee when he was new in Delhi in 2014.
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