The funeral of former President Pranab Mukherjee is being held at the Lodhi Road crematorium in New Delhi. Mukherjee, statesman, scholar and one of India's most respected leaders across the political spectrum, died on August 31 following a 21-day battle with multiple ailments. He was 84.
Stay tuned to this LIVE blog for all the latest updates:
7:32 pm: Mallikarjun Kharge, Siddaramaiah express regret over Mukherjee attending RSS event in 2018
Senior Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Siddaramaiah on Tuesday paid rich tributes to Pranab Mukharjee lauding his intellect and long service to the nation, but expressed regret over the former president attending an RSS event in 2018. Speaking at a condolence meet organised by the Karnataka Congress, Kharge said "I have only one regret, this is not the time to say it, but still.... such an intelligent (Mukherjee), who could remember all subjects and had command in history, religion, politics... "The person who could resolve disputes and chaired about 50 groups of Ministers because of his acumen to build consensus...why did he go to the RSS office during his final years, I could not understand," he said. Kharge, a former union minister, said, he had questions in his mind about that episode, because Mukharjee had belief in Nehruism, he believed in Indira Gandhi's philosophy. Though Mukherjee had differences with Rajiv Gandhi and was outside the party for about four years, he later came back, he noted. "...I had a question within me as to why an intellect like him (Mukherjee) had gone to such a place and wanted to tell him about it, but did not have an opportunity to speak to him one-to-one on this matter," he lamented.
7:00 pm: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Twitter: Saddened to hear of passing of former Indian President #PranabMukherjee, whose visionary leadership was instrumental in bringing United States & India closer together. We extend our deepest condolences to ppl of India during this difficult time.
Saddened to hear of passing of former Indian President #PranabMukherjee, whose visionary leadership was instrumental in bringing United States & India closer together. We extend our deepest condolences to ppl of India during this difficult time: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pic.twitter.com/tirMP0kVmmRelated stories
— ANI (@ANI) September 1, 2020
6:25 pm: Pranab Mukherjee remembered his association with Bidyanagar College where he taught for 5 years: Former colleague
Former president Pranab Mukherjee had never forgotten Bidyanagar College in South 24 Parganas district where he had taught political science and history for five years in the 60s, his former colleague said. Mukherjee's former colleague Prodyot Mondal said on Tuesday that, he was very punctual and became popular among students for his command over Indian Constitution, knowledge of historical events and his simplicity.
6:10 pm: Would have considered performing last rites in Bengal if COVID-19 restrictions were not there: Abhijit Mukherjee
Noting that many people could not attend the cremation of Pranab Mukherjee because of the COVID-19 situation, his son Abhijit Mukherjee on Tuesday said the family would have considered taking the mortal remains of the former president to West Bengal for the last rites if restrictions were not in place. Abhijeet said the cremation of the former president could not be attended by many because of the COVID-19 situation. "We would have considered taking his mortal remains for last rites to West Bengal where our relatives and many who are associated with our family live," he said. "We would have considered taking his mortal remains for last rites to West Bengal where our relatives and many who are associated with our family live," he said.
5:56 pm: Farooq Abdullah expresses grief over demise of ex-President Pranab Mukherjee
National Conference president and Member of Parliament Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday expressed grief and sorrow over the demise of former President Pranab Mukherjee who breathed his last at a hospital in Delhi. "With great sorrow, I received the news of the unfortunate passing away of Shri Pranab Mukherjee Ji, a thorough gentleman, a democrat and a statesman. His contribution towards the nation-building will be remembered for all the times to come," Abdullah said.
5:51 pm: Scores of people pay tribute to Pranab Mukherjee at ancestral temple
An oil portrait of former president Pranab Mukherjee graced the wooden chair, on which he would sit and chant shlokas at his ancestral temple in Birbhum during Durga Puja, as scores of people lined up to offer floral tributes and light candles in memory of their beloved ''Poltu da''. Grief-stricken neighbours and family members, who had been holding yagnas for Mukherjee''s recovery over the past three weeks, milled around his residence ''Kamada Kinkar Bhavan'' at Miriti village on Tuesday, most of them recounting how the statesman touched their lives in one way or the other. "The village has lost its guardian," Bipattaran Mukhopadhyay, the family priest, said, standing in front of the temple, inside which stood the half-done clay idols of Goddess Durga and her children, work for which started on Rath Yatra, just like every year.
4:23 pm: Will convert a floor of our home into museum-cum-library in Pranab Mukherjee's memory: Abhijit Mukherjee
Former President Pranab Mukherjee's son Abhijit, a parliamentarian, on Tuesday said he plans to convert one floor of their house in West Bengal's Jangipur into a museum-cum-library in the memory of the departed leader. Abhijit also said he would like the government to issue a postage stamp in honour of his father.
3.50 pm: Mizoram assembly pays tribute to Pranab Mukherjee among others
The Mizoram assembly, on the first day of its three-day session on Tuesday, paid rich tributes to former president Pranab Mukherjee. Chief Minister Zoramthanga said is demise was a great loss for the nation. Opposition leader Lalduhoma and six other members, including minister R Lalzirliana and Congress Legislature Party (CPL) leader Zodintluanga Ralte also condoled the death of Mukherjee and the five former MLAs. A minute's silence was observed as a mark of respect to the departed souls.
3.40: "The Cabinet records its deep appreciation of the services of Shri Pranab Mukherjee to the nation and extends its heartfelt condolences to the members of his bereaved family on behalf of the Government and the entire nation," the resolution read.
3.35: Country lost a distinguished leader, outstanding parliamentarian: Union Cabinet on Mukherjee
The Union Cabinet on Tuesday condoled the demise of former President Pranab Mukherjee and said the country has lost a distinguished leader and an outstanding parliamentarian. "The Cabinet expresses profound sorrow at the sad demise of Shri Pranab Mukherjee, former President of India. In his passing away, the country has lost a distinguished leader and an outstanding parliamentarian," the Cabinet said in a resolution.
3.30: Pranab Mukherjee's son Abhijit: His presence was support for our family, we'll miss him. I feel COVID was not the main factor for his death rather it was the brain operation. I had plans to take him to West Bengal but due to current restrictions, we couldn't do so.
3.20 pm: Puducherry Speaker, legislators pay homage to Pranab Mukherjee
Puducherry Assembly Speaker VP Sivakolundhu and Legislators paid homage to former President Pranab Mukherjee at the Assembly premises on Tuesday. Apart from the Speaker, Deputy Speaker MN Bhalan, Welfare Minister M Kandasamy, opposition AINRC legislator NS J Jayabal, legislators belonging to the ruling Congress and officials of the Assembly Secretariat paid floral tributes to a portrait of the veteran leader.
2.50: Home Minister Amit Shah on Twitter: Joined the Union Cabinet meeting via video conferencing in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi today to express profound sorrow on the sad demise of former President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee.
2.30 pm: PM Modi tweets: Paid tributes to respected Shri Pranab Mukherjee. He would be remembered by generations for his efforts towards India's progress.
Paid tributes to respected Shri Pranab Mukherjee. He would be remembered by generations for his efforts towards India's progress. pic.twitter.com/bThLb5GW9N— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 1, 2020
2.20 pm: WATCH: Pranab Mukherjee laid to rest with full military honours.
#WATCH Delhi: Former President #PranabMukherjee laid to rest with full military honours.His last rites were performed at Lodhi crematorium today, under restrictions for #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/VbwzZG1xX9
— ANI (@ANI) September 1, 2020
2.10 pm: Former President Pranab Mukherjee cremated with full state honours
Former President Pranab Mukherjee was cremated with full state honours at the Lodhi road electric crematorium on Tuesday afternoon. His son performed his last rites. Mukherjee's family and relatives paid their last respects clad in PPE kits while conforming to COVID-19 safeguards. An Army contingent gave a guard of honour and a gun salute to the former president.
1.50 pm: Bangladesh Mission in Delhi to hold special condolence meeting on September 2 for former President Pranab Mukherjee.
1.45 pm: We express condolences over Pranab Mukherjee's death and extend sympathies: Chinese Foreign Ministry
Pranab Mukherjee was a veteran statesman of India. In his 50 years in politics, he made a positive contribution to China-India relations. It's a heavy loss to China-India friendship & to India. We express condolences over his death & extend sympathies: Chinese Foreign Ministry (ANI)
1.40 pm: Mortal remains of Pranab Mukherjee brought to Lodhi Crematorium
Delhi: Mortal remains of former President #PranabMukherjee brought to Lodhi Crematorium. His last rites are being performed. pic.twitter.com/w5sSBKd8Kp— ANI (@ANI) September 1, 2020
1.35 pm: J&K govt announces 7-day mourning after Pranab Mukherjee's death
The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday declared seven-day mourning following the demise of former president Pranab Mukherjee, an official spokesman said. The seven-day mourning from August 31 to September 6 has been announced as a mark of respect to the former President of India, the spokesman said. (PTI)
1.25: Bangladesh announces national mourning in honour of Pranab Mukherjee
The Bangladesh government has announced one-day national mourning on Wednesday in honour of the former president of India Pranab Mukherjee, as per a report in India Today. The national flag of the People's Republic of Bangladesh will be flown half-mast on September 2 in honour of Pranab Mukherjee.
1.15 pm: Union Cabinet observes 2-minute silence in Mukherjee's memory
The Union Cabinet today condoled and expressed profound sorrow at the sad demise of Pranab Mukherjee, former President of India. Cabinet also observed silence for 2 minutes in his memory: Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India
1.12 pm: Mortal remains of Pranab Mukherjee being taken to Lodhi Crematorium
The mortal remains of former President Pranab Mukherjee being taken from his residence, 10 Rajaji Marg, to Lodhi Crematorium.
Delhi: The mortal remains of former President #PranabMukherjee being taken from his residence, 10 Rajaji Marg, to Lodhi Crematorium.He had tested positive for #COVID19 and undergone surgery for a brain clot at Army (R&R) Hospital on August 10, where he passed away yesterday. pic.twitter.com/ISK1jMFOPj
— ANI (@ANI) September 1, 2020
1.02 pm: Rahul Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Arvind Kejriwal pay floral tributes to former President
Following COVID-19 protocols such as maintaining social distancing and wearing masks, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, BJP chief JP Nadda, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and several Union ministers such as Nirmala Sitharaman and Harsh Vardhan were among those who paid homage to him. Leaders paid floral tributes to a photo of Mukherjee, while his remains were kept in another room.
12.53 pm: Rajnath Singh, Om Birla pay homage to Pranab Mukherjee
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria and Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh were among others who paid homage to him.
12.46 pm: President, VP, Prime Minister pay last respects to Mukherjee
President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chiefs of three defence services were among the dignitaries who paid their last respects to former President Pranab Mukherjee today morning. Mukherjee's mortal remains were brought to his residence, 10, Rajaji Marg, earlier today from the army hospital where he breathed his last on Monday.
The long-time Congress leader and seven-time parliamentarian, known for his encyclopaedic memory and insights into varied issues, had tested positive for COVID-19 at the time of his admission and was being treated for a lung infection. He suffered a septic shock on Sunday and died of a cardiac arrest at 4.30 pm, the hospital said.
Mukherjee's son Abhijit was the first to break the news of the death of the veteran politician, the Congress' troubleshooter through the decades who became India's youngest Finance minister when he was just 47 and also held the portfolios of External Affairs and Defence in the years that followed.
"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," his grieving son said on Twitter.
Also read | From UPA's troubleshooter to Congress decisionmaker, a look at life of 'Statesman' Pranab Mukherjee
After Mukherjee’s death, the government announced seven-day state mourning from August 31 to September 6. The national flag will fly at half-mast on all buildings throughout India, where it is flown regularly, and there will be no official entertainment, the home ministry said in a statement.
Expressing his condolences, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described him as a scholar par excellence and a towering statesman who was admired across the political spectrum.
"India grieves the passing away of Bharat Ratna Shri Pranab Mukherjee. He has left an indelible mark on the development trajectory of our nation," Modi tweeted.
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Mukherjee's colleague in the Congress said he had learnt a lot from him and depended on him a great deal for his wisdom, vast knowledge and experience of public affairs.
(With inputs from PTI)
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