Former Indian President Dies After Exposing COVID-19

JAKARTA - Former Indian president Pranab Mukherjee passed away on Monday 31 August, after several weeks of being hospitalized. He was declared to have COVID-19 on August 10 and has since been hospitalized. He died at the age of 84.

Reported by Reuters on Tuesday, September 1, officials of New Delhi's Army (Research and Reference) Hospital said earlier on Monday that Mukherjee had gone into septic shock after contracting a lung infection. His medical condition has deteriorated since Sunday, August 30th.

Mukherjee is a veteran politician who served as foreign and finance minister in the previous government led by the Congress party, which is now in opposition.

"He left an indelible mark on the trajectory of our nation building," tweeted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Modi on Twitter posted a photo of himself touching Mukherjee's feet as a tribute.

"A greater scholar, a great statesman, he is admired across the political spectrum and by all walks of life."

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. pic.twitter.com/gz6rwQbxi6

- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 31, 2020