President of India Condoles Passing Away of Former President Shri R. Venkataraman

The President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil has condoled the passing away of the former President of India, Shri R. Venkataraman.

In her condolence message, the President has said, "Shri Venkataraman was a great parliamentarian and freedom fighter who actively participated in the Quit India Movement. I will always remember my personal interactions with him, especially when I was the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha. He served with distinction in various capacities in public life and ultimately rose to occupy the highest office of the nation. In his passing away, the nation has lost a true patriot and a distinguished luminary."

The release issued at 1620 hrs