The last rites for former President of India Pranab Mukherjee were conducted today (i.e. Tuesday, September 1) at the Lodhi Crematorium in New Delhi. The former president's son Abhijit Mukherjee performed the last rites for his father in the presence of friends and family. Former President of India Pranab Mukherjee passed away at the age of 84 on Monday in Delhi's Army's Research and Referral Hospital after his medical condition declined in the morning and he suffered a septic shock due to lung infection.
The former president was laid in state at his official residence in 10 Rajaji Marg in New Delhi, where politicians and the general public were allowed to pay their last homages to the towering statesman, albeit following coronavirus disease (COVID-19) guidelines.
Owing to the COVID-19 related protocols, the mortal remains of late ex-President Pranab Mukherjee proceeded in a hearse van instead of the normal gun carriage that is usually accorded to departed dignitaries of his stature.
The wreath-laying was scheduled in three phases. Official dignitaries paid their homages from 9:15 AM to 10:15 AM, while other dignitaries were allowed to visit after 10:15 AM up till 11 AM. Finally, an hour's time was kept for the general public to pay their homages - from 11 AM to 12 noon.
Several politicos cutting across party lines, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and others paid their last respects to former President Pranab Mukherjee.
Yesterday, the Government of India also announced that on account of the death of the former President of India Pranab Mukherjee, seven days of state morning will be observed throughout India from August 31 to September 6, inclusive of both these dates as a mark of respect to the departed dignitary.
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.
Mukherjee, 84, was admitted to Army Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi Cantt for emergency surgery of brain clot. Later he also tested positive for COVID-19.
He was admitted on August 10 after testing positive for COVID-19.
Mukherjee himself had tweeted before being admitted to the hospital, saying, "On a visit to the hospital for a separate procedure, I have tested positive for COVID-19 today. I request the people who came in contact with me in the last week, to please self isolate and get tested for COVID-19."
Pranab Mukherjee served as the 13th President of India from 2012 to 2017.
Before being elected as the President, Mukherjee served as the Union Finance Minister from 2009-2012 and a senior leader of the Congress.
He was also awarded India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 2019 by the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind.
