Pranab Mukherjee Funeral: Abhijit Mukherjee performs last rites of former President

Pranab Mukherjee, the former President of India, passed away on Monday. Mukherjee was admitted to the Army’s Research and Referral (R&R) hospital in Delhi on August 10 and underwent surgery for a brain clot, he had also tested positive for the coronavirus. However, his health deteriorated after he developed lung infection.

Earlier, today, the former president’s mortal remains arrived at his Delhi residence 10 Rajaji Marg, and the last rites of the former president were performed at Lodhi Road crematorium by his son Abhijit Mukherjee. Following the COVID-19 protocols, Pranab Mukherjee’s remains were carried at the crematorium in a van instead of a gun carriage. 

The Defence Ministry officials said. “Due to the requirement of following social distancing norms and other Covid-19 related protocols, the mortal remains of the former President were taken in a hearse van instead of the normal gun carriage.”

#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

Delhi: The last rites of former President #PranabMukherjee being performed at Lodhi crematorium, by his son Abhijit Mukherjee. pic.twitter.com/1asOyutbPV

— ANI (@ANI) September 1, 2020

#WATCH Delhi: The mortal remains of former President #PranabMukherjee brought to Lodhi Crematorium.

He had tested positive for #COVID19 and had undergone surgery for a brain clot at Army (R&R) Hospital on August 10, where he passed away yesterday. pic.twitter.com/24h4hHxZ2L

— ANI (@ANI) September 1, 2020

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, and many other political leaders arrived at Mukherjee’s Rajaji Marg residence to pay last respects to the former president.

The news of the former president’s passing was confirmed by his son, Abhijit Mukherjee, he tweeted as: “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 🙏”

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

A seven-day state mourning was announced by the government after Pranab Mukherjee passed away. “During the period of state mourning, 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 statement said.

Stay tuned to The Live Mirror for more updates.

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