NEW DELHI: The Centre has sanctioned a dedicated site within the Rashtriya Smriti complex in the Rajghat precinct for a memorial to honour former President Pranab Mukherjee. Sharmistha Mukherjee, the daughter of the late President, expressed her heartfelt gratitude on X (formerly known as Twitter) after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
She wrote, "Called on 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. Immensely touched by this unexpected but truly gracious gesture by the PM."
Sharmistha Mukherjee further added, "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 Baba's memory. It doesn't affect Baba where he is now beyond applause or criticism. For his daughter, words cannot fully express the joy she feels.”
Earlier in December 2024, Sharmistha Mukherjee spoke on the issue of allocating space for a memorial for former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, urging that the matter not be politicised. "There should be no politics on this issue because it has been our tradition that memorials are built for former Prime Ministers, PV Narasimha Rao was an exception and seeing the stellar contribution of Dr. Manmohan Singh, I completely believe that there should be no controversy on his memorial and he should also be given Bharat Ratna," she said.
Dr. Manmohan Singh, the former Prime Minister, passed away at the age of 92 due to age-related ailments at AIIMS. He was cremated with full state honours at NigamBodh Ghat in Delhi's Kashmere Gate, attended by his family, friends, colleagues, and government dignitaries.
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