Venkataraman, who served as the country’s head of state for five years till 1992, had been admitted to a city hospital in critical condition on Jan 12.A member of the Congress party, Venkataraman held several important posts at the Centre and was the country’s minister of defence and finance before becoming Vice-president in 1984.
Condoling Venkataraman’s death, Defence Minister A.K. Antony said on Tuesday the country had lost a great freedom fighter, statesman, parliamentarian, labour leader and an astute lawyer.
Officials said the Beating Retreat, an annual military ceremony signifying the end of India’s Republic Day celebrations, had been cancelled because of the former president’s death. NEW DELHI, Jan 27 Former Indian president R. Venkataraman died on Tuesday, officials said. He was 98.
Venkataraman, who served as the country’s head of state for five years till 1992, had been admitted to a city hospital in critical condition on Jan 12.A member of the Congress party, Venkataraman held several important posts at the Centre and was the country’s minister of defence and finance before becoming Vice-president in 1984.
Condoling Venkataraman’s death, Defence Minister A.K. Antony said on Tuesday the country had lost a great freedom fighter, statesman, parliamentarian, labour leader and an astute lawyer.
Officials said the Beating Retreat, an annual military ceremony signifying the end of India’s Republic Day celebrations, had been cancelled because of the former president’s death.
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