Prime Minister Narendra paid his last respects to Pranab Mukherjee at his Delhi residence. The former President, who had tested positive for the coronavirus, died on Monday, weeks after his brain surgery. He was 84. Pranab Mukherjee's body has been taken to his official home in Delhi, 10 Rajaji Marg, for people to pay their last respects. President Ram Nath Kovind was also present with Narendra Modi.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and the chiefs of the three services also paid homage to the former president. The Defence Ministry, in a statement last evening, gave details of wreath laying by dignitaries, politicians and others. Due to COVID-19 pandemic the body of the former President will be taken for last rites in a hearse van instead of the gun carriage. The funeral will take place at the Lodi Road crematorium.In a statement, the home ministry said as a mark of respect, there would be state mourning throughout India from August 31 to September 6. Yesterday, PM Modi posted a photo of him touching Pranab Mukherjee's feet in reverence. "He has left an indelible mark on the development trajectory of our nation," PM Modi said in a series of tweets. India's 13th President, Pranab Mukherjee was awarded the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour, in August last year.