Atal to be accorded state funeral; 7-day mourning
NEW DELHI: The government announced seven-day state mourning as a mark of respect for former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who passed away on Thursday.
In a circular, the Home Ministry also said national flag would be flown at half-mast from Thursday for seven days across India, and a state funeral would be accorded to Vajpayee.
“As a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, it has been decided that seven days of state mourning will be observed throughout India from August 16-22, both days inclusive.
“During this period, the national flag will be flown at half-mast throughout India where it is regularly flown, and there will be no official entertainment during the period of the state mourning,” the Home Ministry said.
The government has also decided that the state funeral would be accorded to the former prime minister.
The national flag would also fly half mast on the day of the funeral in all Indian mis- sions abroad.
Schools in Delhi will be closed to mourn former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s death, Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said in a tweet.
“All Delhi govt offices, schools and other institutions shall remain closed on Friday, as a mark of respect for our dear departed Atal ji,” Deputy CM tweeted.
NEW DELHI: When the news regarding the critical health condition of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee broke out from AIIMS, the hospital witnessed a beeline of leaders and other prominent personalities. The leaders, cutting across the party
line, were seen inquiring about the health condition and wished for fast recovery of the former PM. The visitors, apart from the political clan, were also seen gathering in and around the hospital to get the latest updates about the beloved leader whose demise was announced by the hospital administration around 5.05 pm.
According to a report released by AIIMS, former PM Atal Bihar Vajpayee was admitted to AIIMS at its Cardiothoracic Sciences Centre with a Urinary tract infection, kidney tract infection,
low urine output and chest congestion on June 11. “Both his lungs are not in good condition because of pneumonia on both sides and his kidneys are also very weak. He is critical,” a source told on Thursday.
The three-time prime minister had retired from public life after his health turned frail and was under the supervision of Dr. Randeep Guleria, Director of AIIMS.
For over three decades, Dr. Guleria, a pulmonologist, had served as personal physician to Vajpayee. Moreover, a team of doctors from the nephrology, gastroenterology, pulmonology and cardiology departments is keeping a round-the-clock check on the ailing leader.
However, the ailing patients and their attendants at the hospital were seen wishing him for good health. Amidst barriers for VIP movements, several leaders kept showing up, including LK Advani, BJP President Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda, Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Congress President Rahul Gandhi and many others.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former UP Chief Minister Mayawati and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee also reached AIIMS to inquire about the health condition of Vajpayee. On Thursday morning, a health bulletin of former Prime Minister was issued by the premier hospital.
It was informed that there was no improvement in the condition of the former PM, rather his condition had turned fragile and is on the life support system. The hospital also decided to call the close relatives of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The BJP had cancelled all its programs for the day.
Meanwhile, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has requested his party volunteers not to celebrate his birthday in view of the deteriorating health condition of the former prime minister. He has requested the volunteers to refrain from visiting his residence, according to reports.
According to the report, Vajpayee's body will be taken to the BJP office tomorrow, where the public can pay homage, followed by cremation before the sunset at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal. Army officials have confirmed that gun carriage is ready for the former prime minister's mortal remains, news reports suggest.
“He was a real ‘Ajatha shatruvu' (One who has no enemies), who got along with people from all sections. He was the first non-congress PM, an able leader and provided a stable government. He practiced politics of principles and infused values into politics,” said Vainkiah Naidu, Vice-president of India. While security outside the hospital and Atal Bihari Vajpayee's residence in Delhi has been beefed up, traffic has also been blocked and no new entries are being allowed inside the hospital premises.