Former Defence Minister George Fernandes passes away

Guwahati, January 29, 2019:

Former Defence Minister George Fernandes breathed his last today in New Delhi. He was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and had recently contracted swine flu. He was 88.

Fernandez was born on 3 June, 1930 and was a member of Rajya Sabha from Bihar. He held the portfolio of Defence Minister from 2001 to 2004 under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Fernandes had also held the position of senior cabinet member during the tenure of Morarji Desai and was Union railways minister from 1089 to 1990 under the leadership of VP Singh.

PM Narendra Modi took to social networking service Twitter to pay his tribute to Fernandes. “Frank and fearless, forthright and farsighted, he made a valuable contribution to our country. He was among the most effective voices for the rights of the poor and marginalized”, he said.