The government on Monday announced a seven-day state mourning following
the death of the former president of India Pranab Mukherjee. The 84-year-old died
at Army Research and Referral Hospital in New Delhi. The Home Ministry, in a
statement, said that as a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, state
mourning will be observed for seven days throughout India from August 31 to
September 6, both days inclusive.

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“During the period of state mourning, the national flag will fly at
half-mast on all buildings throughout India, where it is flown regularly, and
there will be no official entertainment,” the statement said.

The date, time and venue of the state funeral will be intimated later, it
said.

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Mukherjee, who served as the 13th president of India from 2012 to 2017,
died on Monday, following a 21-day battle with multiple ailments. He is
survived by two sons and a daughter.

Also read: Pranab Mukherjee, Indira Gandhi loyalist and Congress’s man for all seasons

According to a report in PTI, doctors said he died of a cardiac arrest at
4.30 pm. Mukherjee was conferred with India’s highest civilian honour
Bharat Ratna in 2019.

Mukherjee, India’s 13th president and Congress’ troubleshooter through
the decades was one of the country’s most respected politicians.

Mukherjee managed the rare distinction of serving three prime ministers
as minister — Indira Gandhi, P V Narasimha Rao and Manmohan.

Also read: Pranab Mukherjee, former President, statesman, politician for 5 decades, dies at 84

Mukherjee was also India’s only non-prime minister who was leader of the
Lok Sabha for eight years. He was also leader of the Rajya Sabha from 1980-85.