Former President Pranab Mukherjee passes away

Former President Pranab Mukherjee has passed away, his son Abhijit Mukherjee tweeted on Monday. The former President had tested positive for COVID-19 and undergone surgery for a brain clot at Army Hospital (R&R) on August 10.

Pranab Mukherjee was President of India from 2012 to 2017. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna - India's highest civilian award - last August.

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 & prayers ,duas & prarthanas from people throughout India ! I thank all of You 🙏

— Abhijit Mukherjee (@ABHIJIT_LS) August 31, 2020

The 84-year old veteran Congressman who played a crucial role in the functioning of the UPA governments till he was chosen the President in 2012, Pranab Mukherjee reflected decency in politics that had no place for rancor, acrimony, and personalized attacks even as he remained firmly committed to the party's ideology. He oozed a natural warmth and his intellect, knowledge, power of persuasion, memory, and skills made him a go-to man in Congress, especially in the last about 15 years of his political life.

He was a Union Minister for over 20 years and had a rare distinction of having served as Union Minister for Finance, External Affairs, Defence, and Commerce. Another rare distinction was that he served as leader of both Houses of Parliament - Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha (1980-85) and Leader of House in Lok Sabha (June 2004 to June 2012). He was also Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission (1991-96).