Atalji Amar Rahenge: Tearful nation bids goodbye to her favourite son

Bugles sounded the last post, uniformed soldiers clicked their heels and a sombre silence fell over the crowd as former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's mortal remains were consigned to the flames today evening, the sun setting on the life of a poet-politician who combined accommodative politics with graciousness.

Foster daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya lit the pyre as cries of "Atal Bihari Amar Rahe" reverberated.

President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh were among the thousands of people at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal on the banks of the Yamuna, the BJP patriarch's final resting place.

Several foreign dignitaries, including the king of Bhutan and the Bangladesh's foreign minister, were also present.

The former prime minister was accorded a state funeral with thousands of people joining his last journey.

Amid sultry weather conditions, thousands of people walked along the over seven km-long route with some showering petals at the carriage. Heavy security was deployed along the route of the procession.

In the morning, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Army Chief Bipin Rawat, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat paid homage to the former prime minister at his official residence.

Police have made elaborate security arrangements for the funeral procession, officials said.  Some roads closed include Krishna Menon Marg, Sunehri Bagh Road, Tughlak Road, Akbar Road, Tees January Marg, Man Singh Road, Bhagwan Dass Road, Shahjahan Road and Sikandara Road.

An astute politician known for his great oratory skills, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee won the hearts of many across the political spectrum with his wit and sobriety and was by far one of the most respected leaders in the country's history.

Reacting to Vajpayee's demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "I have no words, I am filled with emotions right now. Our respected Atal ji is no more. Every moment of his life he had dedicated to the nation."

The top Congress leadership condoled the demise of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today with party chief Rahul Gandhi saying India had lost a great son who will be missed. 

Several roads in the national capital are closed for the public in view of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's funeral, the Delhi Traffic Police said today.

Latest Updates

16:53 IST Friday, 17 August 2018

Amidst Vedic chants, Atal Bihari Vajpayee's last rites are being performed. A great son of soil, Vajpayee's memory will linger on, even though his body will soon leave for the heavenly abode. 

 

Last rites ceremony of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee underway at Smriti Sthal pic.twitter.com/ws2VYaKaHB

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018

 

Delhi: Tricolour wrapped around mortal remains of #AtalBihariVajpayee handed over to his granddaughter Niharika. pic.twitter.com/Ela6rD3PWG

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018

 

 

 

We are here to share your grief and pay our condolences on the behalf of people of Pakistan and the Government of Pakistan: Pakistan Law Minister Ali Zafar after arriving in Delhi for the funeral of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/47aFQyv05E

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018

Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and Sri Lanka acting Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella pay last respects to former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee at Smriti Sthal pic.twitter.com/BaWegOx4mi

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018

Senior BJP leader LK Advani and BJP President Amit Shah pay last respects to former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee at Smriti Sthal pic.twitter.com/51KVjpTDJR

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018

Dr.Manmohan Singh and Congress President Rahul Gandhi at the funeral of #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/jECmT4PCn8

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018

PM Narendra Modi pays last respects to former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee at Smriti Sthal pic.twitter.com/Yd62t8atlH

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018

 

Heads of the defense services paying their last respects 

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba & Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, pay last tribute to former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee at Smriti Sthal in Delhi pic.twitter.com/oDq4kzHl4V

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018

 

15:53 IST Friday, 17 August 2018

Atal Bihari Vajpayee's final journey begins, mortal remains reaches Smriti Sthal

#WATCH: The mortal remains of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee being taken to Smriti Sthal for the funeral. PM Modi, Amit Shah and other BJP leaders also take part in the procession. pic.twitter.com/k35LfX4Tps

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018

14:15 IST Friday, 17 August 2018

#Delhi: Mortal remains of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee being taken from BJP Headquarters to Smriti Sthal for the funeral pic.twitter.com/MKAjqcHXa6

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 201

14:09 IST Friday, 17 August 2018

Preparations on for Atal ji’s last rites at Smriti Sthal @dna pic.twitter.com/7jrGe1p3vZ

— Abhishek Bhalla (@AbhishekBhalla7) August 17, 2018

Leaders from other politcal parties are also coming to the BJP HQ to pay their last respects. 

It was the speciality of Atal ji that he never let humanity be harmed due to the political & ideological differences. Such principle is needed in the country today: Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) General Secretary #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/zAnzCI2Dus

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018

#Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and AAP MP Sanjay Singh pay last respects to former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee at BJP Headquarters. pic.twitter.com/6YWiFEUIMv

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018

12:24 IST Friday, 17 August 2018

PM Shri Narendra Modi, BJP National President Amit Shah, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, LK Advani paid last respects to Bharat Ratna, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at BJP HQ .

11:11 IST Friday, 17 August 2018

Ex-PM's mortal remains brought to BJP Headquarters

10:19 IST Friday, 17 August 2018

Mortal remains of former Prime Minister are being taken to BJP Headquarters. Huge crowd of people have also joined the procession.

9:41 IST Friday, 17 August 2018

► Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu pays tribute to former Prime Minister.

9:33 IST Friday, 17 August 2018

► Congress President Rahul Gandhi pays tribute