The Central government has designated land at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal located in the Rajghat complex in Delhi for a memorial honoring former President Pranab Mukherjee, who died in August 2020.
Sharmistha Mukherjee, Mukherjee’s daughter, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the decision, labeling it a “gracious” and “unexpected” act.
On Tuesday, Sharmistha disclosed a letter dated January 1 from the Land and Development Office (L&DO) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, notifying her of the approval.
According to the letter, the location will be included in the Rashtriya Smriti complex, which is part of the Rajghat.
Following her meeting with the Prime Minister to express gratitude, Sharmistha noted how the act embodied the spirit of respect her father cherished.
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“It’s more cherished considering that we didn’t ask for it. Immensely touched by this unexpected but truly gracious gesture by PM…Baba used to say that state honours shouldn’t be asked for, they should be offered. I’m so grateful that PM Modi did this to honour Baba’s memory. It doesn’t affect Baba where he is now-beyond applause or criticism. But for his daughter, words are not sufficient to express my joy,” she said.
Pranab Mukherjee, the 13th President of India from 2012 to 2017, had a political career that lasted five decades. A high-ranking official of the Indian National Congress, he occupied important ministerial positions, such as Finance Minister from 2009 to 2012, prior to his election as President.
In 2019, Mukherjee received India’s top civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, from his successor, President Ram Nath Kovind.
Sharmistha, who was once a Congress leader, had previously expressed her dissatisfaction with the party’s reaction to her father’s passing.
She observed that the Congress Working Committee (CWC) had not held an official meeting to adopt a condolence resolution, even with Mukherjee’s long-standing affiliation with the party.
