SHILLONG: Meghalaya rose as one in paying handsome tributes to the former President Pranab Mukherjee.
Newly appointed Governor Satya Pal Malik, who spent two terms as Rajya Sabha member with Mukherjee, told this reporter “He was like a guardian. Though I was in the Opposition, he was very affectionate to us.”
“He used to run the House with a lot of understanding and there was never a problem in his presence as everyone respected him,” Malik fondly recalled.
According to the Governor, Mukherjee’s death is a huge loss to the country, adding that he could have been the Prime Minister but due to political reasons, he could not occupy the chair.
“He was a scholar and a well behaved man with no pride and hence every political party respected him,” the Governor added.
Conrad Sangma
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma expressed grief on the death of the former President.
“We are very saddened to hear of the demise of Pranab Mukherjee. He has contributed immensely to the nation and the people in different capacities and I think it is a great loss for this nation,” Conrad said.
“I remember my father late PA Sangma always spoke very highly about him and he used to tell us that he was a person who was very efficient in whatever he used to do,” the chief minister said.
“The former President was a person who had facts and figures on his fingertips and really knew the subjects he was looking into,” he added
Mukul Sangma
Former chief minister Mukul Sangma described Pranab Mukherjee as one person who understood the special needs of the North East so well. “In fact I would say that he is the last person alive who also understood the people of this region so well. He will be greatly missed and I have many fond memories of him even as a senior in the Congress Party who would be the bridge between us and other senior Congress leaders. He had a wealth of experience in politics and was always available.
“Even as President we were enriched by our interactions with him. The keenness with which he responded to every appeal for assistance is indeed very rare.”
As the Union Finance Minister, former CM recalled, he was the one who started that NE Investment Policy, 2007 to attract investments to the NE.
He initiated the Special Assistance Plan and had enough of understanding of the special needs of the region that he did not tie up the Assistance to any special scheme but left space for the CMs to ideate and use the assistance to invest in areas that have a potential for more economic and human development within the states and region. This Scheme ultimately became a game changer as far as funding to the Northeastern states is concerned.
AL Hek
Health Minister AL Hek condoled the death of the former President. In a statement, Hek said he stands with the bereaved family in this time of pain. He also prayed for peace of the departed soul.
PT Sawkmie
Opposition Chief Whip, PT Sawkmie condoled the death of the veteran leader of the country.
Sawkmie said that his death has created a huge vacuum which would be hard to fill.
Central Puja Committee
Central Puja Committee (CPC), Meghalaya condoled the death of Pranab Mukherjee recalling its memory when a CPC delegation met him at Raj Bhavan, Shillong on 21st October, 2015 and accorded a felicitation.
His death can be regarded as end of an era. “We have lost one of the finest statesmen of the country,” the CPC said.
