Former President of India Pranab Mukherjee passes away at 84

Former President of India Pranab Mukherjee passed away Monday after suffering from a septic shock due to a lung infection in New Delhi’s Army’s Research and Referral (R&R) Hospital.

The 84-year-old was hospitalized for a brain clot surgery on August 10. Mukherjee had tested positive for the coronavirus disease before undergoing a successful surgery to remove a brain clot.

His son, Abhijit Mukherjee shared the news on Twitter, “With a Heavy Heart, this is to inform you that my father Pranab Mukherjee has just passed away.”

https://twitter.com/ABHIJIT_LS/status/1300407074560471041

Mukherjee, 13th President of India from 2012 to 2017, had kept his public interactions minimal since the coronavirus pandemic struck the country in January. He had undergone an angioplasty, a procedure to open blocked or narrowed coronary arteries, at the same hospital in 2014, according to a Hindustan Times report. He had not contested the 2017 Presidential election citing “advanced age and failing health”.

Mukherjee was awarded the Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian award in 2019.

Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu said, “Pranab Mukherjee brought dignity and decorum to every post held by him during his long and distinguished public service. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family members.”

'He rose from humble beginnings to occupy the country’s highest constitutional position through hard work, discipline and dedication,” Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India said.

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.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 31, 2020