Former President Pranab Mukherjee Dies At 84

 This morning, the military hospital in Delhi had reported a decline in former President Pranab Mukherjee's condition.

Pranab Mukherjee, elder statesman and one among the country's most respected politicians, has died at 84. the previous President of India, who tested positive for coronavirus, had been in coma after a operation earlier this month.

"With a heavy Heart , this is to inform you that my father Shri Pranab Mukherjee has just passed away inspite of the best efforts of Doctors of RR Hospital and prayers, duas and prarthanas from people throughout India ! I thank all of You," his son Abhijit Mukherjee tweeted.

This morning, the military hospital in Delhi had reported a decline in his condition. He had gone into septic shock thanks to his lung infection, the Army's Research and Referral Hospital had said.

Mr Mukherjee was admitted to hospital on August 10 and had surgery an equivalent day for the removal of a clot within the brain. He had tested positive for COVID-19 in hospital. "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 had posted.

He developed a lung infection and a renal dysfunction over the past few days, consistent with doctors.

Last week, the hospital said Mr Mukherjee's "renal parameters are slightly deranged".

In the past few weeks, there had been an outpouring of get-well-soon wishes from politicians across parties for the veteran, who was minister of finance, defence and external affairs in several governments until he took the country's highest post.

Mr Mukherjee was President of India from 2012 to 2017.

The former President's daughter and Congress leader Sharmistha Mukherjee, during a tweet, had remembered this point last year when he had received the Bharat Ratna, the very best civilian honour.

"Last year August 8 was one of the happiest days for me as my dad received Bharat Ratna. Exactly a year later on August 10 he fell critically ill. May God do whatever is best for him and give me strength to accept both joys and sorrows of life with equanimity. I sincerely thank all for their concerns," she had posted.