Noted jurist, statesman and former ambassador to the USA Nani Ardeshir Palkhivala died in Mumbai on Wednesday at the Jaslok hospital following a protracted illness. He was 82.

Palkhivala, who was ailing since the last few years, was admitted to the Jaslok hospital on December 7 after complaining of uneasiness. He suffered a severe cardiac arrest while in the hospital but was revived. However, his condition remained critical before the end came at 1715 IST, doctors attending on him said.

His brother and niece were at his bedside when he breathed his last.

A member on the Board of Directors of the Press Trust of India since 1985, Palkhivala was also a director of the Tata Group for a number of years.

A multi-faceted personality, Nani was a lawyer par excellence, custodian of the Indian Constitution, renowned public speaker, a philanthropist and a distinguished ambassador. His career in public life spanned five decades.

His post-budget speeches since 1958 attracted huge crowds in Mumbai and drew applause from all over the country.

He was ambassador to the USA and Bahamas during the Janata Party regime in the late 1970s.

Former prime minister Morarji Desai had described him as 'India's finest intellectual'.

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