First Lady Smt. Suvra Mukherjee passed away on Monday, 10:51 a.m., the Press Information Bureau of the Government of India announced at 11:40 IST. The First Lady had been sick for sometime and had been suffering from respiratory complications lately. She leaves behind her husband, the president of India, and their three children: Abhijit Mukherjee, Indrajit Mukherjee and Sharmistha Mukherjee.
Born on September 17, 1940, in Jessore (Bangladesh), Mukherjee married Pranab Mukherjee in 1957, who eventually became the India's president.
As a graduate, Mukherjee was a fan of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, the national poet of India. She used to be a vocalist for Rabindra Sangeet and did poet's dance-dramas in India, Europe, Asia and Africa, according to The Hindu. She also founded the Geetanjali Troupe which spreads Rabindranath Tagore's beliefs through songs and dance-dramas.
As a talented painter, Mukherjee had many group and solo painting exhibitions under her name. After she won critical acclaims through her paintings, she said she considered her mother as her inspiration, Times of India reported. Aside from paintings, she published two books. The first, "Chokher Aloey" talks about her close relationship with Indira Gandhi. "The Chena Achenai Chin" is her travel account to China.
Leaders of several political parties in India sent their condolences after the First Lady passed, according to Zee News.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Signh tweeted, "Saddened to hear the news of Smt. Suvra Mukherjee's demise. My heartfelt condolences to Shri Pranab Mukherjee and his bereaved family."
Vice President of the Congress Rahul Gandhi also tweeted, "My deepest condolences to @RashtrapatiBhvn President Pranab Mukherjee &his family on the passing away of Smt Suvra Mukherjee @Sharmistha_GK."
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee knew Mukherjee for three decades and expressed her sympathies to the family through her tweets:
"Saddened to hear that Rashtrapati ji's wife Suvra boudi is no more. Cannot believe she has passed. Such is life. We have to accept the truth."
"I have known Suvra boudi for more than three decades. She was simple, lovable and a caring housewife. May God give Rashtrapati ji and his family the strength to bear the loss."
