Asia/South Asia
6 years ago

Thousands gather to bid adieu to Vajpayee

-Reuters Photo
-Reuters Photo

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Thousands of people joined former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's funeral and last rites at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal in New Delhi.

The 93-year-old stalwart's funeral procession was joined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind, BJP chief Amit Shah, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi and thousands of others.

The funeral was also attended by leaders from both sides of the aisle and representatives from SAARC nations, reports The Hindu.

Vajpayee died on Thursday after being admitted to All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi for over 9 weeks.

His body was initially kept at Krishna Menon Marg, his official residence, Thursday night where a stream of leaders visited to pay their homage.

Hundreds gathered outside his residence to pay their tributes to the three-time prime minister Friday morning.

His body was later taken to the BJP headquarters.

Terming Vajpayee's death as "end of an era", PM Modi had said that it was like losing a father. A seven-day state mourning has been announced by the central government as a mark of respect to former prime minister.

Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali paid their last respects to Vajpayee.

Bangladesh remembers Vajpayee for his contribution to the Liberation War and the strong support he extended to the people of Bangladesh, Ali told reporters after his arrival, reports bdnews24.com.

Indian and world leaders also offered condolences for the death of the three-time Prime Minister, who was accorded a state funeral with full military honours.

Nepal Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, acting Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Lakshman Kiriella paid their last respects to the former PM.

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