Thaindian News

New Delhi, April 26 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Vice President Hamid Ansari Monday expressed shock at the sudden death of Rajasthan Governor Prabha Rau.
“It is with a deep sense of shock and grief that I learnt of the untimely demise of your mother, Prabha Rau, Governor of Rajasthan,” the prime minister said in his message to Rau’s daughter Sanyogita Morarji.

“Prabha Rau was an outstanding public figure. All her life, she worked for the welfare of the people of our country and of Maharashtra,” he added.

Noting Rau was a six-time member of the Maharashtra legislative assembly and also served as a minister, he said she “contributed handsomely to the cause of women and children”.

“She was an outstanding parliamentarian and was a member of the 13th Lok Sabha. As governor of Himachal Pradesh and later of Rajasthan, Prabha Rau discharged her responsibilities as an ideal constitutional functionary,” he added.

“In this hour of bereavement, I offer my deepest condolences to Rau’s family, friends and admirers. I pray for peace of the departed soul,” the prime minister said.

In his condolence message, Ansari said that he deeply grieved her sad demise and paid tribute to her “glorious record of service to the country and the people during her many years in public life”.

“She had earned the respect and admiration of the people for her dedication, sense of public service, innate simplicity and honesty. Her services to the country shall always be remembered,” he added.

Rau, 74, died at a New Delhi hospital Monday after she suffered a cardiac arrest at the Jodhpur House guest house of teh Rajasthan government here.