Amid Manmohan Singh Death Row , Government To Set Former President Pranab Mukherjee’s Memorial

The government has announced plans to establish a memorial for former President Pranab Mukherjee at the ‘Rashtriya Smriti’ area complex, PTI reported. On Tuesday, Sharmistha Mukherjee, the former president’s daughter, met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express her gratitude for honoring her father.

In a letter to Sharmistha Mukherjee, the government stated, "The Competent Authority has approved the allocation of a designated site within the ‘Rashtriya Smriti’ complex (part of the Rajghat precinct) for constructing a Samadhi for the late Shri Pranab Mukherjee, former President of India."

After receiving the letter, Sharmistha Mukherjee sought an appointment with the prime minister to thank him for the honour. “Called on Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi ji to express thanks and gratitude from the core of my heart for his government’s decision to create a memorial for baba. It’s more cherished considering that we didn’t ask for it,” Sharmistha said on X.

Pranab Mukherjee was the 13th President of India, who was known for his wisdom and leadership.

“Immensely touched by this unexpected but truly gracious gesture by PM,” Sharmistha Mukherjee said, while sharing her pictures of the meeting with the prime minister. “Baba used to say that State honours shouldn’t be asked for, it should be offered. I’m so grateful that PM Modi did this to honour babas’ memory. “It doesn’t affect baba where he is now — beyond applaud or criticism. But for his daughter, words are not sufficient to express my joy,” she also said, while sharing the letter sent by the government.

After former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s death, Sharmistha Mukherjee highlighted that the Congress Working Committee did not bother for a condolence meeting. "When baba passed away, Congress didn't even bother to call a CWC for a condolence meeting. A senior leader told me it's not done for Presidents. That's utter rubbish," Sharmistha Mukherjee said in a post on X. She further revealed that her father's diaries documented how, after former President KR Narayanan's death, such a meeting had been convened, with Pranab Mukherjee himself drafting the condolence message.

With PTI inputs