Country bids farewell to Vajpayee
FORMER PRIME MINISTER’S FOSTER DAUGHTER NAMITA KAUL BHATTACHARYA PERFORMED HIS LAST RITES AT EMOTIONAL SEND-OFF
Former prime minister, whose appeal transcended party lines, cremated with full military honours |
India’s tallest statesman and the most admired Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, was yesterday given an emotional sendoff with a sea of people joining his funeral procession through the streets of Delhi.
Vajpayee, 93, was cremated at ‘Smriti Sthal’, with his foster daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya performing his last rites. Prime Minister Narendra Modi walked the entire fourkm stretch from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office to ‘Smriti Sthal’, which is located close to the memorials of former prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri.
The massive crowd showered rose petals on the glass casket carrying the three-time premier, while chanting “Long live Atalji.” Vajpayee passed away at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Thursday after a prolonged illness.
Indian Army, Navy and Air Force personnel gave a ceremonial salute to Vajpayee as Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind, BJP chief Amit Shah, veteran party leader LK Advani, several union ministers, chief ministers and opposition leaders, including former prime minister Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, paid their last respects.
Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali also arrived here in New Delhi to pay tributes to Vajpayee.
‘End of an era’
The central government declared a half-day holiday yesterday, while some states declared a full-day. The central government also announced a seven-day state mourning.
Expressing his grief, Modi said, “I am speechless, numb. It is like losing a father.”
Union minister Arun Jaitley recalled his association with the former PM. “Atalji’s demise is referred to by many as end of an era. I, however, consider it as a continuation of the era of which he was the one who laid the foundation. His political journey shaped his ideology. His convictions were shaped by his deep commitment to the nation from his student days association with the Quit India Movement to joining Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and then being associated with Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee as one of the founders of the Bharatiya Jan Sangh,” Jaitley said.
Rahul Gandhi also mourned Vajpayee’s death. “Today, India lost a great son. Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee was loved and respected by millions. My condolences to his family and all his admirers,” Gandhi tweeted.
Former prime minister Manmohan Singh said: “People from all walks of life, irrespective of their political leanings, loved and respected Vajpayee. He was a great prime minister, outstanding parliamentarian, excellent orator and an impressive poet.” RSS ideologue KN Govindacharya said at the time of 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Vajpayee stood between the blood thirsty mob and helpless Sikhs. “I have seen that side of Vajpayee. His house was at Raisina Road, and in front of his house was a taxi stand. Just few steps away there was a Youth Congress office, where we have Rajiv Bhawan, and suddenly an angry mob emerged from the Youth Congress office. Atalji saw the mob was baying for the blood of Sikh taxi drivers, and in that situation he stood between the mob and the Sikh taxi drivers. He did that only for humanity,” Govindacharya said.
Vajpayee thrice served as prime minister, first for a term of 13 days in 1996, the second time for eleven months from 1998 to 1999, and then for a full term from 1999 to 2004.
Today India lost a great son. Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee was loved and respected by millions. My condolences to his family and all his admirers. We will miss him.”
Rahul Gandhi | Congress president Atal ji, you will live on in the hearts and minds of every Indian. No words can ever do justice to your rich contribution towards the making of our country.”
Narendra Modi | Prime Minister