NEW DELHI: The President of India, Dr Zakir Husain Khan, died suddenly after a heart attack today [May 3]. It was officially announced that Dr Zakir Husain collapsed and died suddenly following a severe heart attack at 11.20 local time (10.50 WPST) today. Doctors tried artificial respiration without success. Dr Zakir Husain is survived by his wife, two daughters and seven grand children.

The Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi, who had flown to Rajasthan on a one-day tour of famine areas, is returning immediately to Delhi. Soon after his death, the Cabinet met in an emergency session here under the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Morarji Desai, which announced State mourning for 13 days. All-India Radio announced that the funeral of the deceased President would take place on Monday to enable the Heads of State or their representatives to attend. Dr Husain will be buried at the Jamia Millia Islamia, the National Muslim University, which he helped to establish on the outskirts of Delhi and of which he was a Vice-Chancellor for 22 years.

The body of Dr Zakir Husain lay in his room at the Presidential Palace here today, ­surrounded by wailing women in white robes of mourning. By his side sat his widow, Shah Jahan Begum, and one of his two daughters, Saida Khan.

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2019