NEW DELHI, Sept 1 - Bugles sounded the last post, soldiers clicked their heels and fired in the air and the small gathering, many in PPE suits, raised their hands in salute as India�s 13th President Pranab Mukherjee was cremated today in the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic.
The nation bid farewell to Mukherjee, who was given a ceremonial send-off in accordance with COVID-19 protocol, with visors, face shields, masks and the number of people at the Lodhi Road crematorium strictly restricted.
The tributes continued to pour in for the statesman, scholar and political strategist, who stayed in public life for more than five decades as a long-time Congress leader and then as President, but only close family and friends were present at the funeral conducted with full state honours.
Mukherjee, 84, died on Monday at the Army�s Research and Referral Hospital following a 21-day battle with multiple ailments. He tested positive for COVID-19 when he was admitted to the hospital on August 10 and was operated the same day for removal of a brain clot.
His son, former MP Abhijit Mukherjee, performed the last rites with family and friends paying their last respects clad in PPE.
A hush fell over the crematorium as the coffin wrapped in tricolour made its way inside the complex. The air was solemn and fragrant with flowers.
Earlier in the morning, Mukherjee�s mortal remains were taken in a flower bedecked white hearse van from the hospital to his home in 10 Rajaji Marg.
President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, chiefs of three defence services and politicians cutting across party lines paid their last respects to Mukherjee. � PTI
