Modi Govt Approves Site For Pranab Mukherjee's Memorial At Delhi's Raj Ghat

New Delhi: The Modi government on Tuesday gave its nod for a building a memorial of Pranab Mukherjee, former President of India. In a notification, the BJP -led Central government approved to allot a place for the memorial at Delhi's Rajghat.

In a notification issued by the government, it said that the competent authority has approved the earmarking of a designated site within the “Rashtriya Smriti” complex — a part of the Rajghat precinct) for erecting a Samadhi of Pranab Mukherjee, former President of India.

Grateful to Modi govt, says Sharmistha Mukherjee 

Welcoming the government's decision, Pranab Mukherjee's daughter and former Congress leader Sharmistha Mukherjee said, “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.”

Sharmistha Mukherjee also informed that she called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and conveyed her thanks to him for approving a memorial for his father.

"Called on PM Narendra Modi to express thanks & gratitude from core of my heart for his govt'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 PM," she said.

Earlier in December 2024, reacting to the issue of allocating space for a memorial for former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Author and daughter of former President Pranab Mukherjee, Sharmistha Mukherjee said that the issue must 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," said Sharmistha Mukherjee.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh died at AIIMS at the age of 92 due to age-related ailments. He was cremated with full state honours at Nigam Bodh Ghat in Delhi's Kashmere Gate in the presence of his family, friends, colleagues and government dignitaries.

With inputs from ANI