New Delhi: Pranab Mukherjee, former President of India and Bharat Ratna awardee, passed away on Monday. He was in a coma following a brain surgery earlier this month and has tested positive for COVID-19 also.  

His son Abhijit Mukherjee tweeted the passing of his father who was undergoing treatment at RR Hospital. “With a Heavy Heart , this is to inform you that my father Shri Pranab Mukherjee has just passed away in spite of the best efforts of Doctors of RR Hospital and prayers, duas and prarthanas from people throughout India ! I thank all of You.”

The nation starts mourning one of its greatest leaders soon after the tweet. “India grieves the passing of Bharat Ratna 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,”, Prime Minister tweeted. “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. Om Shanti,” he added.

A mentor for many of the politicians in the country, Pranab had worked with three generations of Gandhi family and is known for his capabilities as a statesman. He narrowly missed the crown of Prime Minister on two occasions. In history, he would be known as the ‘best Prime Minister India never had’. 

Pranab was admitted to the hospital on August 10 and underwent surgery on the same day to remove a clot in the brain. “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,” he tweeted soon after was admitted to the hospital.

His condition deteriorated after falling into a coma soon after the surgery. According to doctors, he developed renal and lung infections and breathed his last on August 31.