New Delhi: People from all walks of life Tuesday mourned the death of President Pranab Mukherjee’s wife.
Suvra Mukhejee, who has been ailing for some time, died Tuesday morning. The accomplished Rabindra Sangeet singer was 74.
The First Lady, who remained hospitalized for 11 days, passed away at 10.51 AM at the Army Research and Referral Hospital in New Delhi.
“It is informed with deep sorrow that First Lady Smt. Suvra Mukherjee passed away this morning (August 18, 2015). She left for her heavenly abode at 1051 AM,” Rashtrapati Bhawan spokesman Venu Rajamony said in a statement.
Suvra was admitted to the Army Hospital on August 7 after she complained of breathlessness and discomfort. Since then she was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Besides her husband, Suvra is survived by two sons Abhijit, a Congress MP, and Indrajit and one daughter Sharmistha, who unsuccessfully contested the Delhi Assembly elections on a Congress ticket.
Mukherjee got married to Suvra on July 13, 1957. The First Lady hailed from Jessore, now in Bangladesh, and had migrated to Kolkata at the age of 10 years.
“We are not like today’s couples. It’s not a lovey-dovey relationship and we don’t express our emotions overtly,” Suvra was quoted as having said on the eve of the crowning moment of her husband’s political career when he assumed the office of President on July 25, 2012.
People from all walks of life condoled the death
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was saddened to hear the death.
“Cannot believe she has passed. Such is life. We have to accept the truth,” Banerjee said in post on her twitter handle.
“I have known Suvra boudi for more than three decades. She was simple, lovable and a caring housewife,” Trinamool Congress Chief said.
Political leaders took to Twitter to express their condolences to the president.
“Very sad to hear (about) the demise of Suvra Mukherjee. May her soul rest in peace. Heartfelt condolences to Hon’ble President n (and) his family,” Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted.
Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar wrote, “Sad to hear about the demise of Pranab Mukherjee ji’s wife. My deepest condolences to Pranab da and family.”
Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi also tweeted. “My deepest condolences to @RashtrapatiBhvn President Pranab Mukherjee & his family on the passing away of Smt Suvra Mukherjee @Sharmistha_GK,” Gandhi wrote.
Union Minister of Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Parliamentary Affairs, Venkaiah Naidu tweeted: “Saddened to hear abt (about) d (the) demise of First Lady, Suvra Mukherjee. I convey my deep sympathies nd (and) sorrow to the President @RashtrapatiBhvn.”
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, Congress leader Manish Tiwari, and Naveen Jindal were also among the array of leaders who conveyed their sympathies to the bereaved family.
“Deeply saddened at the passing away of Smt. Subhra Mukherjee ji. My heartfelt condolences to her family. May her soul rest in peace,” tweeted Gehlot.
While the Gujarat chief minister tweeted, “Heartfelt condolences to President Pranab Mukherjee on the sad demise of the First Lady Mrs Suvra Mukherjee. May her soul Rest in Peace!”, former union Minister Jindal wrote, “Saddened by the news of the demise of Smt. Suvra Mukherjee, wife of Shri Pranab Mukherjee. My condolences to Hon’ble President & his family.”
Earlier in the day, Tiwari tweeted: “Profound condolences on the demise of Mrs Surva Mukherjee. A fine lady who led her life with dignity and grace. May her soul rest in peace.”
On Friday, the president cut his trip to Odisha short after she was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Army’s Research and Referral Hospital. She was undergoing treatment for respiratory problems.