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INDIA-PRANAB-CONDOLENCES
Kovind, Modi condole Pranab Mukherjee’s death
NEW DELHI, Aug 31, 2020 (BSS) – Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi today condoled the death of former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee.
In separate message of condolences, they extended sympathy to members of bereaved family and prayed for solvation of the departed soul.
Mr. Mukherjee, the 13th President of India and a veteran leader of India’s National Congress, passed away in a hospital in the city this afternoon at the age of 83.
In a message of condolences, Ram Nath Kovind said “his (Pranab Mukherjee) demise is passing of an era and a colossus in public life”.
“Mr Mukherjee served Mother India with the spirit of a sage. The nation mourns losing one of its worthiest sons. Condolences to his family, friends and all citizens,” President Kovind tweeted.
He said, “Endowed with perspicacity and wisdom, Bharat Ratna Shri Mukherjee combined tradition and modernity. In his 5 decade long illustrious public life, he remained rooted to the ground irrespective of the exalted offices he held. He endeared himself to people across political spectrum”,
“As the First Citizen, he continued to connect with everyone, bringing Rashtrapati Bhavan closer to the people. He opened its gates for public visit. His decision to discontinue the use of the honorific ‘His Excellency’ was historic,” the Indian President also said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is separate tweet also expressed his grief over the death of Pranab Mukherjee, saying Mukherjee “left an indelible mark on the development trajectory of our nation.”
“India grieves the passing away of Bharat Ratna Shri Pranab Mukherjee. He has left an indelible mark on the development trajectory of our nation. A scholar par excellence, a towering statesman, he was admired across the political spectrum and by all sections of society,” Modi tweeted.
He added, “During his political career that spanned decades, Shri Pranab Mukherjee made long-lasting contributions to key economic and strategic ministries. He was an outstanding parliamentarian, always well-prepared, extremely articulate as well as witty”.
Modi said, “As India’s President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee made Rashtrapati Bhavan even more accessible to common citizens. He made the President’s house a centre of learning, innovation, culture, science and literature. His wise counsel on key policy matters will never be forgotten by me”.
“I was new to Delhi in 2014. From Day 1, I was blessed to have the guidance, support and blessings of Shri Pranab Mukherjee. I will always cherish my interactions with him. Condolences to his family, friends, admirers and supporters across India,,” Modi said in his tweet.
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