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Former President Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma passes away

December 27, 1999

Dr. Shanker Dayal Sharma, former President of India, passed way in New Delhi after a brief illness on December 26, 1999. Dr. Sharma was 81. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Vimla Sharma, two sons and a daughter.

Dr. Sharma has had an illustrious career in the fields of Education and Politics. Dr. Sharma is Bar-at-Law from the Lincoln’s Inn and subsequently taught law at the Cambridge University (1946 – 47). He was the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh (1952-56), President of the Indian National Congress (1972-74), Cabinet Minister for Communication at the Center (1974-77), Governor of Andhra Pradesh (1984-85), Governor of Punjab (1985), Governor of Maharashtra (1986-87), Vice President of India (1987–1991) and President of India from July, 1992 to July 1997. Government of India has announced a seven-day mourning period on the passing away of the former President.

The state funeral is scheduled to take place on December 28, 1999 at midday. A condolence book would be open in the Embassy of India, 2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC, on December 28 - 29, 1999 from 1000 hrs to 1400 hrs.