The Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama has condoled the death of former President of India, Pranab Mukherjee. His Holiness has written a letter to the surviving son of the former president following the announcement of the death on Monday. The official website of the spiritual leader reported about the letter as;
Following the announcement that former President of India, Pranab Mukherjee had died, His Holiness the Dalai Lama sent a letter to his son Abhijeet Mukherjee in which he wrote,
“I am sorry to learn about your father’s passing away. I will remember him in my prayers and would like to offer my condolences to you and your family at this sad time.”
His Holiness recalled having had the honour of meeting Mr Mukherjee on several occasions over the years, most recently in 2016. He noted that Mr Mukherjee’s dedication to public service was consistent over many decades, during which time he held several important ministerial portfolios, ultimately serving as this great nation’s President.
His Holiness concluded, “We can rejoice that for 84 years he led a meaningful life.”
Pranab Mukherjee was admitted to the Army Hospital (Research and Referral) New Delhi following an emergency operation for a clot in brain but he never recovered. He had slipped into a deep coma, and his medical condition was further complicated as he tested positive for Covid-19 and and finally succumbed to septic shock caused by a lung infection, after 22 days of struggle at the hospital.
He was the 13th President of India from 2012 until 2017. In a political career spanning five decades, Mukherjee has been a senior leader in the Indian National Congress and has occupied several ministerial portfolios in the Government of India. India announced seven days period of mourning till September 6.