I am deeply grieved to learn of the sad demise of Shri K.R.Narayanan, our beloved former Rashtrapathiji.

Braving numerous hardships and difficulties in life and overcoming social prejudices, he emerged as one of the outstanding personalities of our country. He achieved phenomenal success in the fields of diplomacy, academics and politics. His life and career represent the extraordinary profile of a person who rose from humble beginnings to become the First Citizen of the Republic of India. His elevation to the highest office of the land in the golden jubilee year of our Independence embodied the fulfillment of Mahatma Gandhi's vision. It symbolized the triumph of social justice and a recognition of his immense talents as a diplomat, writer, humanist and above all as an original thinker and a fine human being.

His tenure as the President of our Republic will always be looked upon as a landmark for his role in preserving and protecting our Constitution and our secular ethos and for passionately articulating the concerns of the underprivileged sections of our society. Proving his diplomatic skills, he endeared himself to none less than Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who described him in 1955 as the best diplomat of the country. He represented India as our Ambassador in several countries of the world including China and the USA. His appointment as the Ambassador to China and his role in improving our relations with that country laid the foundation of an enduring friendship on the basis of which we are consolidating our links with that country. The establishment of the annual K.R.Narayanan Oration in the Australian National University in 1994 testified to his academic credentials which were widely acclaimed outside our country. Well known for his probity and integrity, he was Gandhian in outlook and championed the cause of democracy, equality, women's empowerment and secularism till his very end. A sagacious personality of our public life, we turned to him for advice and guidance and profited from his vast and rich experience in diverse fields of our national life. It will be difficult to fill the void caused by the death of a statesman of such great eminence, vision and ability.

On this sad occasion I join the people of India and convey our heartfelt condolences to his beloved wife Smt. Usha Narayanan, members of the bereaved family and to his countless friends, admirers, associates and followers.

(Manmohan Singh)

New Delhi

November 09, 2005