Former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee Passes Away

Former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, who had tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month, died on Monday after weeks in hospital, his son and the current president’s office said. A seven-day state mourning was announced by the Indian government to pay respect to the deceased Bharat Ratna awardee. He died at the age of 84 years. “As a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, seven days State Mourning will be observed throughout India from 31.08.2020 to 06.09.2020, both days inclusive”, the government said in a statement. During the period of state mourning, the national flag will fly at half-mast at all buildings throughout the country wherever it is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment, it added.