New Delhi, Jan. 27 : The nation today mourned the passing of former President R. Venkataraman, and declared seven days of state mourning.

The Union Cabinet, which met this afternoon, announced the cancellation of all remaining functions related to this year's Republic Day celebrations as a mark of respect to the departed leader.

The Ministry of Defence said in a release: "In view of the passing away of former President Shri Venkataraman here today, some remaining ceremonies relating to Republic Day Celebrations such as Beating Retreat and PM's NCC Rally have been cancelled."

The President of India, Pratibha Devisingh Patil, condoled the passing away of the former President.

In her condolence message, she said: "Shri Venkataraman was a great parliamentarian and freedom fighter who actively participated in the Quit India Movement. I will always remember my personal interactions with him, especially when I was the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha. He served with distinction in various capacities in public life and ultimately rose to occupy the highest office of the nation. In his passing away, the nation has lost a true patriot and a distinguished luminary."

Vice President M. Hamid Ansari said: " It is with profound sorrow that I received the news of the passing away of Shri R. Venkataraman, former President of India. Shri Venkataraman was a distinguished public personality, versatile parliamentarian and an adept administrator who served the country with distinction in various capacities. In his long public career, Shri Venkataraman left a distinct mark in the society and in the polity with his innate simplicity, vast erudition and experience and deep sensitivity for the poor and the deprived. The country will always remember with gratitude his services for the country. His loss shall be keenly felt. My wife joins me in sending our heart-felt condolences to all the members of the bereaved family and pray to the Almighty to grant them strength and fortitude to withstand this loss."

In his message, Defence Minister A K Antony said: "With the demise of Shri Venkataraman, the country has lost a great freedom fighter, statesman, parliamentarian, labour leader and an astute lawyer."

Recalling his strong sense of social commitment to the uplift of the underprivileged and the down-trodden, Antony said: "Shri Venkataraman had a deep understanding of the problems being faced by the country."

Antony also recalled the significant contribution made by the former President as Defence Minister.

He described his death as the end of an era, and extended his heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved family.

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and External Affairs, Anand Sharma also expressed grief on the demise of Venkataraman.

"I am deeply saddened to learn about the demise of our former President. Shri Venkataraman had been a Member of Constituent Assembly that drafted India's Constitution. He was elected to the first Parliament of India. In 1957, Shri Venkataraman resigned from his seat in Lok Sabha to join the State Government of Madras as a Minister. He held various distinguished posts thereafter in the Union Cabinet also. In his death the nation has lost a great statesman. My heartfelt condolences go to the bereaved family," Sharma said.

The government has announced that the former President will be given a state funeral. The arrangements are to be announced. (ANI)