Bhutan king, foreign ministers of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal arrive New Delhi to pay tribute to former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee

New Delhi, August 17: Of course Atal Bihari Vajpayee was an acclaimed statesman, inveterate nationalist, a seasoned politician and a hardcore optimist but he was also amongst the influential world leaders. Many countries adore him and no one’s personality ever matched him. However, today he is not with us but his visions, poems and aims will always remain with us.

 

National leaders including PM Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, the entire Union Cabinet, BJP Karyakartas and leaders of other political parties arrived to bid farewell to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. On the other side, the countries like Russia, US, Bangladesh and Nepal sent a condolence letter and paid tributes to Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Meanwhile, Bhutan's King Jigme Wangchuk, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal Pradeep Kumar Gyawali and Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella have arrived in New Delhi to attend the funeral of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

At 1 pm, the mortal remain of Atal Bihar Vajpayee will be taken to Smriti Sthal in a huge procession and will be cremated at 4 pm. There is a massive deployment of police and paramilitary personnel along the entire procession route.

The central government has declared a half-day holiday today while some states have declared a full-day holiday in view of Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s death. A seven-day state mourning has been announced by the Centre and the national flag would fly at half-mast from today for seven days across India.

On August 16, AIIMS issued a Press Release informing that the Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed away at 05:05 pm.