New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday paid homage to former Prime Minister I K Gujral, remembering him as a “great patriot” and a “great scholar statesman”.
Gujral’s body has been kept at his 5 Janpath residence here for the public to pay respects. Leaders cutting across party lines also visited his residence to pay their homage. 92-year-old Gujral died at a private hospital in nearby Gurgaon after a brief illness yesterday.
The Prime Minister and his wife arrived at his residence this morning and paid floral tributes. In his message, Singh said, “In the sad demise of Gujral, our country has lost a freedom fighter, a great patriot and a great scholar statesman. I join the nation in expressing our grief and sorrow at the demise of great son of India.”
I have lost a personal friend: Pranab
President Pranab Mukherjee condoled the demise of former Prime Minister I K Gujral saying he has lost a personal friend and the nation an eminent public figure. In his condolence message to Gujaral’s MP son Naresh, Mukherjee said, “Gujral jee’s services to the nation as a freedom fighter, Parliamentarian, scholar, commentator and as an administrator are invaluable. He was known for his passion for social justice.” The President said that Gujaral’s achievements in the field of foreign policy were particularly noteworthy and he will be remembered for having given “new direction” to India’s relations with other South Asian countries through the Gujaral doctrine. (PTI)