A COLOSSUS PASSES AWAY GENTLY
Former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee breathed his last at 5.05 pm Last rites to take place at 4 pm today
Former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, one of India’s most charismatic leaders who led the nation through several crises while holding together a tenuous coalition with his inclusive politics and superlative oratory, died on Thursday. He was 93. Vajpayee, a bachelor, is survived by his adopted daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya. He will be cremated on Friday in New Delhi.
“It was Atalji’s exemplary leadership that set the foundations for prosperous and inclusive India in the 21st century,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, leading the nation in mourning the demise of the nationalist stalwart whose popularity cut across party lines.
Vajpayee’s death was announced by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital where he was admitted on June 11 with a variety of ailments. “It is with profound grief that we inform about the sad demise of Former Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee, at 5.05 pm,” the AIIMS said in a statement. It said his condition was stable for the last nine weeks, but “unfortunately, his condition deteriorated over the last 36 hours and he was put on life support systems.”
As it became clear that the end was near, a host of politicians and well-wishers began gathering at AIIMS since morning. A pall of gloom descended at the BJP headquarters as soon the news of Vajpayee’s demise broke. Modi said Vajpayee’s passing is a “personal and irreplaceable” loss for him and that his futuristic policies across various sectors touched the lives of each and every citizen of India.
“It was due to the perseverance and struggles of Atal Ji that the BJP was built brick by brick,” Modi said in a tweet.
The last rites of Mr Vajpayee will take place at 4 pm on Friday at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal in New Delhi, BJP chief Amit Shah said.
Extremely sad to hear of the passing of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, our former Prime Minister and a true Indian statesman, Atalji, the gentle giant, will be missed by one and all.
— RAM NATH KOVIND, President Atalji’s passing away is a personal and irreplaceable loss for me. I have countless fond memories with him. He was an inspiration to Karyakartas like me. I will particularly remember his sharp intellect and outstanding wit.
— NARENDRA MODI, Prime Minister A rare politician, brilliant speaker, poet and patriot, his demise is not just a irreparable loss for the BJP but also for the entire country. He nursed a banyan tree in the country’s politics with his tenacity and tireless work.
— AMIT SHAH, BJP president Today India lost a great son. Former PM, Atal Behari Vajpayee ji, was loved and respected by millions. My condolences to his family and all his admirers. We will miss him. — RAHUL GANDHI, Congress president
New Delhi, Aug. 16: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the passing away of former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee marks the end of an era and termed it as a “personal and irreplaceable” loss for him.
He said the BJP patriarch lived for the nation and served it assiduously for decades while noting that it was Vajpayee’s exemplary leadership that set the foundations for a strong, prosperous and inclusive India in the 21st Century.
Vajpayee died at the AIIMS hospital here this evening at the age of 93 following prolonged illness.
“Atal Ji’s passing away is a personal and irreplaceable loss for me. I have countless fond memories with him. He was an inspiration to Karyakartas like me. I will particularly remember his sharp intellect and outstanding wit.
“It was Atal Ji’s exemplary leadership that set the foundations for a strong, prosperous and inclusive India in the 21st century. His futuristic policies across various sectors touched the lives of each and every citizen of India,” Mr Modi tweeted.
He said it was due to Vajpayee’s perseverance and struggles that the BJP was built brick by brick.
“He travelled across the length and breadth of India to spread the BJP's message, which led to the BJP becoming a strong force in our national polity and in several states,” he said.
Mr Modi said India grieves the demise of Vajpayee.
“My thoughts are with his family, BJP Karyakartas and millions of admirers in this hour of sadness. Om Shanti,” he added.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday condoled the death of Atal Behari Vajpayee and said his passing away is a big loss to the country.
Banerjee said she would always cherish many fond memories. — PTI