India announces seven-day state mourning for Pranab

India has announced a seven-day state mourning after the country’s former president Pranab Mukherjee died at a Delhi hospital on Monday. He was 84-years-old.

“As a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, seven days State Mourning will be observed throughout India from August 31 to September 6,” Indian 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, reports Hindustan Times.

Mukherjee had developed a lung infection and renal dysfunction after he underwent surgery to remove a clot in his brain as he fell down at his Rajaji Marg residence in Delhi.

He was since then admitted to the Army Hospital (R&R) where he was put on ventilator support after the surgery. He had also tested positive for the coronavirus disease prior to the surgery on August 10.

Hospital authorities had earlier in the day said that the Congress veteran’s medical condition had declined. Later, his son Abhijit Mukherjee announced on Twitter that the senior leader died at the hospital.

The government has not yet announced the date, time and venue of the state funeral.