Photogallery: Atal Bihari Vajpayee's last rites; dignitaries that paid tribute
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paying tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the various political leaders that turned up on Friday for the last rites of former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, BJP President Amit Shah, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan were among the dignitaries that paid last tribute to Vajpayee. Mortal remains of Vajpayee were taken from All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to his residence on Thursday for the general public and the VIPs so that they can pay their last respect to the departed soul. Draped in tricolor, his mortal remains were later taken to the BJP headquarters where PM Narendra Modi and all top leaders of the country received them. The final journey of the poet-politician from the BJP head office culminated at Smriti Sthal on Friday. (Image Courtesy: ANI/Twitter)
BJP President Amit Shah paying last respects to Atal Bihari Vajpayee
As a mark of respect to the departed leader, the BJP-led central government has declared a 7-day state mourning across the country. During this period, the national flag will be flown at half-mast at all offices and institutions throughout the country. All the government offices will be functional only for half day on Friday. Leaders from across the political spectrum paid rich tributes to Vajpayee on Thursday. President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, union ministers and chief ministers recalled Vajpayee as a great statesman, orator and leader who believed in developing consensus on all major national issues. (Image Courtesy: ANI/Twitter)
Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba paying tribute to Atala Bihari Vajpayee
Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba paid tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee's mortal remains at Smriti Sthal. The veteran leader died after a prolonged illness on Thursday evening. He breathed his last at 5.05 PM at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the national capital. (Image Courtesy: ANI/Twitter)