Pranab Mukherjee cremated with full military honours
Amidst a nationwide outpour of grief and tributes, former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee was cremated in New Delhi with full military honours today.
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 protection 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 Mukherjeee's daughter Sharmistha.
The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi will hold a special condolence meeting tomorrow afternoon for Mukherjee, who played a stellar role for the cause of an independent Bangladesh and its international recognition.
Because of the Covid-19 protocols, in a break from the tradition of use of open gun carriage of the army, 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 today as a mark of respect for Mukherjee who was twice elected as a lawmaker of the Lok Sabha from Jangipur constituency in Murshidabad district in the state.
Mukherjee's mortal remains were brought to his residence, 10, Rajaji Marg, earlier today from the army hospital where he breathed his last.
President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among the top dignitaries who visited Mukherjee's residence and paid their last respects this 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 MNaravane, 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 to him.
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