Former President of India, Congress veteran leader Pranab Mukherjee passed away at the age of 84. The veteran politician was admitted to RR Hospital Delhi since 10 August.
The veteran politician spend five decades in politics and had undergone brain surgery at Delhi Army Research and Referral hospital following the detection of a brain clot.
His health began declining on Monday after monitored a health issue regarding lungs infection resulted in septic shock. He was also tested positive for coronavirus and has been admitted in hospital since 10 August.
His five-year decade political career proclaimed various cabinet positions for the government lead by Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, PV Narshimha Rao and Manmohan Singh.
He was born on 11 December 1935 in Birbhum district West Bengal and was affectionately called “Pranab Da” by his peers and friends. He completed his Master’s degree in Political Science and History and did his LLB degree from the University of Calcutta.
The 84-year-old veteran leader served as India’s 13th President from 2012-2017. He was a tough taskmaster and an avid reader with a devotee in History reading.
He endured leaving a mark during his tenure over the presidency, and he also made it easier for common people to visit Rashtrapati Bhawan. He was also honoured as India’s Highest Civilian Award Bharat Ratna in 2019.
He was known of generously sharing his experiences cutting across party lines, which left an indelible mark during his tenure that contributed to a development trajectory to the nation.
Hid political career started as when Indira Gandhi spotted him during a by-election in Midnapore where he was the V.K Krishna Menon’s election agent.
Impressed by his sharp and penetrated political intelligence Indira Gandhi brought Mukharjee into Congress and initiated his Parliamentary journey through Rajya Sabha in 1969.
After the assassination of Indira Gandhi, he sidelined from Congress under the leadership of Rajiv Gandhi. He was appointed as Deputy Chairman of Indian Planning Commission under the Prime Ministership of PV Narasimha Rao.
He was known for ‘Man Of All Seasons’ where he played a crucial role in getting through the controversial Indo- US nuclear deal and earned an exemption for India from Nuclear Suppliers Group.
Mukharjee first entered his political career as a General Secretary of Congress in 1988 and became the Congress member committee for 23 years.
He arrived as India’s youngest Financial Minister at the age of 47 in 1982. It was a mixed bag legacy for a politician who won his first election in 2004 from Jangipur, West Bengal.
From 2004 he was headed to three crucial ministries as external affairs, defence ministry and finance department and became the first person to occupy Rashtrapati Bhawan to have such distinctions where he woked loudly with his auspicious skills.
He was deliberated as a walking encyclopaedia in politics and governance which made it difficult for any bureaucrat to trip him. The government announced seven-day state mourning as a mark of respect for the veteran leader.
India missed a relevant and unmatched leader who will always be loved by his dedication and an epitome of the committed flow of a determined person.
