Former Indian president broke barriers: K.R. Narayanan 1920-2005: Made much of post that is normally ceremonial

From: Chicago Sun-Times | Date: November 10, 2005| Author: Vijay Joshi | Copyright information

NEW DELHI -- Former President K.R. Narayanan, the first "untouchable" from India's pernicious caste system to occupy the office in a validation of the nation's democratic roots, died Wednesday. He was 85.

The soft-spoken, scholarly Mr. Narayanan was admitted to an army hospital in the capital Oct. 29 with pneumonia and kidney failure. He was placed on life support two days later and died Wednesday, Defense Ministry spokesman Sitanshu Kar said.

Although the president's post in...

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