Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The central government has earmarked land within the ‘Rashtriya Smriti’ complex in Rajghat to establish a memorial for former President Pranab Mukherjee. Sharmistha Mukherjee, his daughter, expressed her gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the unexpected gesture, describing it as deeply touching.
Taking to X, Sharmistha wrote, “Called on Hon’ble PM @narendramodi ji to express thanks & 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 PM.”
She further shared her father’s philosophy, stating, “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.”
Official Announcement
The government’s decision was communicated in a letter stating that the “competent authority has approved the earmarking of the designated site within the ‘Rashtriya Smriti’ complex for erecting a Samadhi of Late Shri Pranab Mukherjee, the former President of India.”
Congress Criticism and Sharmistha’s Reaction
The announcement follows Sharmistha’s sharp criticism of the Congress Party for its response to the death of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. She accused the party of failing to convene a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting to offer condolences, contrasting it with her father’s documented efforts for similar occasions in the past.
“When baba passed away, Congress didn’t even bother to call CWC for a condolence meeting. A senior leader told me it’s not done for Presidents. That’s utter rubbish as I learned later from baba’s diaries that on KR Narayanan’s death, CWC was called, and a condolence message was drafted by baba himself,” Sharmistha revealed.
