Thank you readers for tuning in to our coverage. Former President Pranab Mukherjee, a stalwart of Indian politics, breathed his last on August 31 at the Army Hospital in New Delhi. The 84-year-old was laid to rest with full military honours. Mukherjee's last rites were performed at Lodhi crematorium in Delhi on September 1. In his memory, the government hasannounced seven-day state mourning throughout India from August 31 to September 6. For more latest news visit www.deccanherald.com.
At a meeting here chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet also observed a two-minute silence in the memory of Mukherjee, who breathed his last on Monday.
His last rites were performed at Lodhi crematorium today, under restrictions for Covid-19.
Due to Covid-19, Pranab Mukherjee's mortal remains were carried in van instead of gun carriage.
In his 50 years in politics, he made positive contribution to China-India relations. It's a heavy loss to China-India friendship and to India. We express condolences over his death and extend sympathies: Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson
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 two minutes in his memory, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Home Minister Amit Shah says, "It's a sad day that Pranab Mukherjee isn't among us anymore...He had expertise in taking everyone together. When in power, he always struck a balance with those in Opposition. When in opposition, he never stepped away from playing a constructive role."
It's a sad day for all of us that Pranab Da isn't there with us anymore. Those who want to come in politics andlearn how to work without any controversy, should observe his political life andfollow him, says Home Minister Amit Shah.
President Ram Nath Kovind, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, BJP leader Jyotiraditya Scindia pay last respects to former President.
Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi pay last respects to former President.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays last respects to former President at his residence.
Several other prominent US leaders and organisations also condoled Mukherjee's death, saying he will go down in history among India's most distinguished statesmen and scholars.
Pranab Mukherjee has left a void. He was generous and kind, who used to make me forget that I am talking to President of India. It was in his nature to make everyone, his own, despite political differences. He'll be remembered always, says Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla pays last respects to former President.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pays last respects to former President Pranab Mukherjee at his residence,10 Rajaji Marg.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, Army Chief General MM Naravane, Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria and Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh pay last respects to former President Pranab Mukherjee, at his residence.
“Computer memory” is one phrase which often comes to the mind of senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Subrata Mukherjee when he thinks about late former President Pranab Mukherjee. Speaking to DH, the veteran politician said that it was Pranab’s extraordinary memory that played a key role in becoming the crisis manager and one of the most trustworthy associates of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
A quintessential party loyalist and the trusted Man Friday of three Congress prime ministers, Pranab Mukherjee's climb up the political ladder stopped just short of his ambition to occupy 7 Race Course Road, instead sending him to the Rashtrapati Bhavan as the country’s first citizen.
Many world leaders on Monday condoled the death of former president Pranab Mukherjee, saying they have lost a true friend who made immense contributions to the strengthening of India's relations with their countries.
Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed sorrow over the demise of Mukherjee, describing him as a "true friend" and recalling his "outstanding and unforgettable" contributions to the country's 1971 Liberation War.
"His demise has caused an irreparable loss to the political arena of the sub-continent," Hamid said, describing Mukherjee as a "real and sincere friend" of Bangladesh.(PTI)
When it comes toPranabMukherjee, one incident that keeps recurring is his reported chat with Rajiv Gandhi on a flight from Kolkata to DelhiafterIndira Gandhi'sassassination.
Pranab Mukherjee was in Mysuru twice — in 2013 and 2015 — as President. In 2013, he was in Mysuru on September 23, to inaugurate the new building of JSS Hospital of JSS Mahavidyapeetha, Suttur Mutt.
In July 2012, the then-presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee's visit to Bal Thackeray's home in suburban Mumbai had raised many eyebrows within the Congress.
Describing former presidentPranabMukherjeeas a "true friend of Israel", Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on Monday expressed his condolences at the passing away of one of India's most respected politicians, saying he helped strengthen the ties between the two countries.
"Israel stands with the people of India and the family of former President ShriPranabMukherjeein mourning his passing," Rivlin wrote in a tweet.
"India has lost one of its most remarkable public figures today who was respected across the board. FICCI condoles the passing away ofPranabMukherjee, a supporter of the Indian industry, astute leader and a great nationalist," Ficci President Sangita Reddy said.
The Indian sporting fraternity, led by iconic batsman Sachin Tendulkar and national cricket team captain Virat Kohli, on Monday condoled the death of former PresidentPranabMukherjee, saying the nation has lost a great leader who was loved by all.
Karnataka will observe a 7-day mourning period till September 6 as a mark of respect to former president Pranab Mukherjee, who died Monday.
During the mourning period, the national flag will fly half-mast on all government buildings and there will be no official or public entertainment, the state protocol wing of the Department of Personnel & Administrative Reforms said in an order.
The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) expresses its profound grief at the death of Shri Pranab Mukherjee, former President of India.
Pranab Mukherjee was one of India’s leading political figures who contributed in various capacities as an elected member of parliament and serving as a senior minister in many governments for many decades, before being finally elected as the President of India.
He maintained cordial relations with political parties across the board and often played the role of the main interlocuter for the governments he represented.
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) conveys its deepest condolences to his son Abhijeet and daughter Sharmistha and other family members.
He wriggled Congress out of many crises in the past over four decades but the execution of an idea mooted by him for 'Bangla Congress' through which he entered the world of politics actually spelt doom for the Grand Old Party in the 1967 Assembly elections, ending its uninterrupted rule in West Bengal since Independence.
Pranab Mukherjee, whopassedaway on August 31, strongly believed that no right is permanent as it changes with the concept of socio-economic conditions.
The last phase of the civil war in Sri Lanka, the demand for a separate Telangana state and the crisis in the then united Andhra Pradesh spawned due to the death of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy are some of the major issues concerning Southern India during the UPA-I and II regimes.
I am deeply saddened to condole the passing away of my longtime and close colleague Shri Pranab Mukherjee-ji.
Pranab Da, as many of us addressed him with affection, was someone with whom I have had a long and cherished association. Although I am older, but Pranab Da was one
The death of Pranab Mukherjeeis a great loss for India. He had a great political career overseeing many divisions and departments in various governments. The people of Chhattisgarh mourn his death in all spirit with the rest of the country: Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel
Former President Pranab Mukherjee had turned nostalgic in his last speech in Parliament on July 23, 2017, which he made exactly 48 years and one day after he first attended a session in "this living institution".
Pranab Mukherjee's mortal remains to be brought atthe residence at 10:00 am. On Tuesday. Cremation later in the afternoon at Lodhi Road Crematorium
For the people of former President Pranab Mukherjee's native village, Mirati in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, he was never a VVIP.
"I am in real grief for the passing away of Pranab da. I have known him since when I had just returned from Harvard and become IIT/D Professor in 1969. He was a very balanced educated mind, and I shall never forget that he, even after retirement came out to release my book RESET," said Subramanian Swamy.
"Saddened by the demise of former President and statesman Shri Pranab Mukherjee. He has served the Country in many roles with diligence and determination. He is widely admired across the parties for his intellect and perseverance . My condolences to his family and followers," Nadda said on Twitter.
On 14 January 1980, Pranab Mukherjee walked into Rashtrapati Bhavan's Ashoka Hall to take oath as a Cabinet Minister but there was no seat for him in the row of ministers to be sworn in.
Pranab Mukherjee rose to occupy the highest seat of power in Indian democracy but his extraordinary political life is also a story of many misses.
A B Vajpayee and Pranab Mukherjee shared a "great equation" and used to go for walks together at times but when Indira Gandhi chose the latter as Finance Minister in January 1982, the late BJP patriarch found it improper.
Saddened to hear of the passing away of former Rashtrapati Shri. Pranab Mukherjee. Over the decades, he served the nation in various capacities. Periodically, have benefitted from his wise counsel. India loses an experienced and seasoned leader. Condolences: Nirmala Sitharaman
A chapter of Indian politics came to an end (with the demise of former President Pranab Mukherjee). He always put the country above the party politics. I pay my obeisance to him on behalf of the people of Madhya Pradesh: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed his condolences after former President Pranab Mukherjee passed away on Monday. "With great sadness, the nation receives the news of the unfortunate demise of our former President Shri Pranab Mukherjee.I join the country in paying homage to him. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family and friends."
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 & by all sections of society: PM Narendra Modi
"Deeply anguished on the passing away of former President of India, Bharat Ratna Shri Pranab Mukherjee ji. He was a vastly experienced leader who served the nation with utmost devotion. Pranab da’s distinguished career is a matter of great pride for the entire country," tweets Amit Shah.
"Pranab Da's life will always be cherished for his impeccable service and indelible contribution to our motherland. His demise has left a huge void in Indian polity. My sincerest condolences are with his family and followers on this irreparable loss. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti," the Union Home Minister said.