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."

New Delhi, Jan 27, : Former President Ramaswamy Venkataraman passed away on Tuesday at the Army Research and Referral Hospital in New Delhi.

Venkataraman, 98, was admitted to the hospital on January 12 with complains of Urosepsis (a toxic condition caused by the extravasations of urine into bodily tissues.

He was suffering from multi-organ failure and was on advanced life support systems including ventilatory support and continuous hemodialysis," an official of the hospital said.

New Delhi, Jan. 21 : Former President R Venkataraman, who has been admitted to the Army Hospital Research and Referral here, continues to be in critical condition.

President Pratibha Devisingh Patil visited him in the hospital at around 10:30 this morning to enquire about his medical state. She was there for nearly 30 minutes.

Venkataraman has been in the hospital for the last ten days after complaining of dehydration.

"His condition remains critical and he is on life support system," Brigadier A K Sharma, Administrative head of the hospital said.

New Delhi, Jan 19 : Former President R Venkataraman remains in a critical co