George Fernandes passes away at 88

Former Defence Minister and veteran socialist George Fernandes passed away on Tuesday after being ill and bedridden for quite a long time. Fernandes, 88 was also suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and his health conditions had recently deteriorated after he contracted Swine Flu. He passed away at his New Delhi residence on Tuesday morning. He was born on June 3, 1930, and was a native of Mangalore. His political career started as a powerful trade union leader. George Fernandes was the Defence Minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government when India fought the Kargil War in 1999. During his term in office, India had conducted nuclear tests at Pokhran in 1998.  He was a key member of the Janata Dal and founded the Samata party. Fernandes held offices of various other ministries including communications, industry and railways. His last rites will be done in New Delhi after his son returns to India from the US.  President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed their deep condolences on his demise.