Adieu, Pranab
Amidst a nationwide outpour of grief and tributes, former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee was cremated in New Delhi with full military honours yesterday afternoon.
The last rites of 84-year-old Mukherjee, who died at an army hospital in Delhi cantonment after battling multiple illnesses, including Covid-19, took place at the Lodhi Road crematorium in the presence of his family members and relatives in personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, conforming to Covid-19 protocols.
Mukherjee's son performed his last rites as an army contingent gave a guard of honour and a gun salute to the former president, who was the supreme commander of the armed forces for five years from July 2012.
Two separate wreaths on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen were laid before Mukherjee's portrait at his residence at 10, Rajaji Marg in central Delhi.
The wreaths were placed by Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Md Imran, who also handed over a message of condolence and rich tributes from Hasina to Mukherjee's daughter Sharmistha.
The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi will hold a special condolence meeting this afternoon for Mukherjee, who played a stellar role for the cause of an independent Bangladesh and its international recognition.
In a break from the tradition of use of open gun carriage of the army because of Covid-19 protocols, Mukherjee's body was carried in a hearse from his residence to the Lodhi Road crematorium.
The former president died on Monday, weeks after his brain surgery for removal of a clot on August 10. Mukherjee had suffered a fall in the bathroom at his house.
The Indian government and many states have announced a seven-day official mourning. The West Bengal government declared closure of its offices yesterday as a mark of respect for Mukherjee, who was twice elected a lawmaker of the Lok Sabha from Jangipur constituency in Murshidabad district in the state.
Before cremation, Mukherjee's mortal remains were brought to his residence, 10, Rajaji Marg, from the army hospital where he breathed his last.
Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among the top dignitaries who visited Mukherjee's residence and paid their last respects yesterday morning.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Army Chief Gen M M Naravane, Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria and Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh were among others who paid homage to him.
A seven-time parliamentarian and recipient of Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, Mukherjee was one of the most admired and respected political figures.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, BJP President JP Nadda, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, India's Finance and Health Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Harsh Vardhan respectively, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and CPI's D Raja also paid their respects.
BANGLADESH OBSERVES ONE-DAY NATIONAL MOURNING
Bangladesh will observe a one-day national mourning today in honour of the memory of the former Indian president.
The Cabinet Division issued a notification in this regard yesterday.
Marking the day, the national flag will be hoisted half-mast at all government, semi-government and autonomous offices, educational institutions and all government and non-government buildings and at all missions abroad.
Special prayers will be offered at places of worships across the country.
Many organisations, including India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI), mourned Pranab Mukherjee's death.
Abdul Matlub Ahmad, president of IBCCI, all board members and general members have expressed deep grief over the death of Pranab Mukherjee, a true friend of Bangladesh.