{"id":55365,"date":"2018-08-18T11:00:16","date_gmt":"2018-08-18T18:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/?p=55365"},"modified":"2020-07-04T13:27:33","modified_gmt":"2020-07-04T20:27:33","slug":"india-mourns-as-vajpayee-laid-to-rest-with-full-state-honors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/india-mourns-as-vajpayee-laid-to-rest-with-full-state-honors\/","title":{"rendered":"India Mourns as Vajpayee Laid to Rest with Full State Honors"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>File photo of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. (AFP\/Getty Images)<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Bugles sounded the last post, uniformed soldiers gave a gun salute and silence fell over the crowd as former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee\u2019s mortal remains were consigned to the flames evening of Aug. 17, the sun setting on the life of a poet-politician who combined accommodative politics with graciousness.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#foogallery-gallery-153936.fg-justified .fg-item { margin-right: 2px; margin-bottom: 2px; }\n#foogallery-gallery-153936.fg-justified .fg-image { height: 200px; }<\/style>\n\t\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#foogallery-gallery-153936_1.fg-justified .fg-item { margin-right: 2px; margin-bottom: 2px; }\n#foogallery-gallery-153936_1.fg-justified .fg-image { height: 200px; }<\/style>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"foogallery foogallery-container foogallery-justified foogallery-lightbox-foogallery fg-justified fg-ready fg-light fg-shadow-medium fg-loading-default fg-loaded-slide-down fg-hover-zoomed fg-caption-always fg-hover-fade fg-hover-eye\" id=\"foogallery-gallery-153936_1\" data-foogallery=\"{&quot;item&quot;:{&quot;showCaptionTitle&quot;:true,&quot;showCaptionDescription&quot;:false},&quot;lazy&quot;:true,&quot;state&quot;:{&quot;enabled&quot;:true,&quot;mask&quot;:&quot;foogallery-{id}&quot;},&quot;template&quot;:{&quot;rowHeight&quot;:200,&quot;maxRowHeight&quot;:300,&quot;margins&quot;:2,&quot;align&quot;:&quot;center&quot;,&quot;lastRow&quot;:&quot;smart&quot;}}\" data-foogallery-lightbox=\"{&quot;theme&quot;:&quot;fg-dark&quot;,&quot;thumbs&quot;:&quot;bottom&quot;,&quot;thumbsCaptions&quot;:false,&quot;thumbsBestFit&quot;:false,&quot;thumbsSmall&quot;:false,&quot;thumbsCaptionsAlign&quot;:&quot;default&quot;,&quot;info&quot;:&quot;bottom&quot;,&quot;infoVisible&quot;:true,&quot;infoOverlay&quot;:true,&quot;infoAlign&quot;:&quot;default&quot;,&quot;transition&quot;:&quot;fade&quot;,&quot;hoverButtons&quot;:false,&quot;fitMedia&quot;:false,&quot;noScrollbars&quot;:true,&quot;preserveButtonSpace&quot;:true,&quot;buttons&quot;:{&quot;fullscreen&quot;:true,&quot;info&quot;:true},&quot;video&quot;:{&quot;autoPlay&quot;:true}}\" style=\"--fg-title-line-clamp: 0; --fg-description-line-clamp: 0;\" >\n\t<div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-idle\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/page-vajpayee-main-gallery-07.jpg\" data-caption-title=\"School children light candles to pay tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at a school in Mirzapur, Aug. 17. (PTI Photo)\" data-caption-desc=\"School children light candles to pay tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at a school in Mirzapur, Aug. 17. (PTI Photo)\" data-attachment-id=\"153937\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"page-vajpayee-main-gallery-07\" title=\"School children light candles to pay tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at a school in Mirzapur, Aug. 17. (PTI Photo)\" height=\"300\" width=\"452\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-src-fg=\"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2020\/07\/page-vajpayee-main-gallery-07\/4098009960.jpg\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%22452%22%20height%3D%22300%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20452%20300%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" loading=\"eager\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><figcaption class=\"fg-caption\"><div class=\"fg-caption-inner\"><div class=\"fg-caption-title\">School children light candles to pay tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at a school in Mirzapur, Aug. 17. (PTI Photo)<\/div><\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-idle\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/page-vajpayee-main-gallery-06.jpg\" data-caption-title=\"A sea of supporters attend the funeral procession of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as his mortal remains are taken for cremation to Smriti Sthal, in New Delhi, Aug. 17. (Ravi Choudhary\/PTI)\" data-caption-desc=\"A sea of supporters attend the funeral procession of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as his mortal remains are taken for cremation to Smriti Sthal, in New Delhi, Aug. 17. (Ravi Choudhary\/PTI)\" data-attachment-id=\"153938\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"page-vajpayee-main-gallery-06\" title=\"A sea of supporters attend the funeral procession of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as his mortal remains are taken for cremation to Smriti Sthal, in New Delhi, Aug. 17. (Ravi Choudhary\/PTI)\" height=\"300\" width=\"411\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-src-fg=\"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2020\/07\/page-vajpayee-main-gallery-06\/3045641308.jpg\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%22411%22%20height%3D%22300%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20411%20300%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" loading=\"eager\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><figcaption class=\"fg-caption\"><div class=\"fg-caption-inner\"><div class=\"fg-caption-title\">A sea of supporters attend the funeral procession of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as his mortal remains are taken for cremation to Smriti Sthal, in New Delhi, Aug. 17. (Ravi Choudhary\/PTI)<\/div><\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-idle\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/page-vajpayee-main-gallery-08.jpg\" data-caption-title=\"Tri-services heads General Bipin Rawat, Admiral Sunil Lamba and Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa with Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra (l) at the cremation of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal in New Delhi on Aug. 17. (Manvender Vashist\/PTI)\" data-caption-desc=\"Tri-services heads General Bipin Rawat, Admiral Sunil Lamba and Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa with Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra (l) at the cremation of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal in New Delhi on Aug. 17. (Manvender Vashist\/PTI)\" data-attachment-id=\"153940\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"page-vajpayee-main-gallery-08\" title=\"Tri-services heads General Bipin Rawat, Admiral Sunil Lamba and Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa with Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra (l) at the cremation of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal in New Delhi on Aug. 17. (Manvender Vashist\/PTI)\" height=\"300\" width=\"526\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-src-fg=\"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2020\/07\/page-vajpayee-main-gallery-08\/3965474779.jpg\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%22526%22%20height%3D%22300%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20526%20300%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" loading=\"eager\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><figcaption class=\"fg-caption\"><div class=\"fg-caption-inner\"><div class=\"fg-caption-title\">Tri-services heads General Bipin Rawat, Admiral Sunil Lamba and Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa with Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra (l) at the cremation of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal in New Delhi on Aug. 17. (Manvender Vashist\/PTI)<\/div><\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-idle\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/page-vajpayee-main-gallery-05.jpg\" data-caption-title=\"In this May 11, 1998, file photo former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee announces India&#039;s nuclear test, in New Delhi. (PTI photo)\" data-caption-desc=\"In this May 11, 1998, file photo former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee announces India&#039;s nuclear test, in New Delhi. (PTI photo)\" data-attachment-id=\"153941\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"page-vajpayee-main-gallery-05\" title=\"In this May 11, 1998, file photo former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee announces India&#039;s nuclear test, in New Delhi. (PTI photo)\" height=\"300\" width=\"432\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-src-fg=\"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2020\/07\/page-vajpayee-main-gallery-05\/1262235367.jpg\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%22432%22%20height%3D%22300%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20432%20300%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" loading=\"eager\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><figcaption class=\"fg-caption\"><div class=\"fg-caption-inner\"><div class=\"fg-caption-title\">In this May 11, 1998, file photo former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee announces India's nuclear test, in New Delhi. (PTI photo)<\/div><\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-idle\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/page-vajpayee-main-gallery-04.jpg\" data-caption-title=\"In this Sept 25, 2003, file photo, former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee addresses the 58th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations HQ, USA. (PTI Photo)\" data-caption-desc=\"In this Sept 25, 2003, file photo, former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee addresses the 58th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations HQ, USA. (PTI Photo)\" data-attachment-id=\"153942\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"page-vajpayee-main-gallery-04\" title=\"In this Sept 25, 2003, file photo, former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee addresses the 58th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations HQ, USA. (PTI Photo)\" height=\"300\" width=\"255\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-src-fg=\"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2020\/07\/page-vajpayee-main-gallery-04\/3275332430.jpg\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%22255%22%20height%3D%22300%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20255%20300%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" loading=\"eager\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><figcaption class=\"fg-caption\"><div class=\"fg-caption-inner\"><div class=\"fg-caption-title\">In this Sept 25, 2003, file photo, former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee addresses the 58th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations HQ, USA. (PTI Photo)<\/div><\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-idle\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/page-vajpayee-main-gallery-03.jpg\" data-caption-title=\"In this May 20, 1998, file photo, former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visits the nuclear test site in Pokhran. (PTI Photo)\" data-caption-desc=\"In this May 20, 1998, file photo, former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visits the nuclear test site in Pokhran. (PTI Photo)\" data-attachment-id=\"153943\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"page-vajpayee-main-gallery-03\" title=\"In this May 20, 1998, file photo, former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visits the nuclear test site in Pokhran. (PTI Photo)\" height=\"300\" width=\"194\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-src-fg=\"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2020\/07\/page-vajpayee-main-gallery-03\/4120510138.jpg\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%22194%22%20height%3D%22300%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20194%20300%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" loading=\"eager\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><figcaption class=\"fg-caption\"><div class=\"fg-caption-inner\"><div class=\"fg-caption-title\">In this May 20, 1998, file photo, former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visits the nuclear test site in Pokhran. (PTI Photo)<\/div><\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-idle\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/page-vajpayee-main-gallery-02.jpg\" data-caption-title=\"In this May 20, 1998, file photo, former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visits the nuclear test site in Pokhran. (PTI Photo)\" data-caption-desc=\"In this May 20, 1998, file photo, former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visits the nuclear test site in Pokhran. (PTI Photo)\" data-attachment-id=\"153944\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"page-vajpayee-main-gallery-02\" title=\"In this May 20, 1998, file photo, former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visits the nuclear test site in Pokhran. (PTI Photo)\" height=\"300\" width=\"196\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-src-fg=\"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2020\/07\/page-vajpayee-main-gallery-02\/2349463719.jpg\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%22196%22%20height%3D%22300%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20196%20300%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" loading=\"eager\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><figcaption class=\"fg-caption\"><div class=\"fg-caption-inner\"><div class=\"fg-caption-title\">In this May 20, 1998, file photo, former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visits the nuclear test site in Pokhran. (PTI Photo)<\/div><\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-idle\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/page-vajpayee-main-gallery-01.jpg\" data-caption-title=\"In this May 20, 1998, file photo, former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visits the nuclear test site in Pokhran. (PTI Photo)\" data-caption-desc=\"In this May 20, 1998, file photo, former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visits the nuclear test site in Pokhran. (PTI Photo)\" data-attachment-id=\"153945\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"page-vajpayee-main-gallery-01\" title=\"In this May 20, 1998, file photo, former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visits the nuclear test site in Pokhran. (PTI Photo)\" height=\"300\" width=\"462\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-src-fg=\"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2020\/07\/page-vajpayee-main-gallery-01\/1055101865.jpg\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%22462%22%20height%3D%22300%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20462%20300%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" loading=\"eager\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><figcaption class=\"fg-caption\"><div class=\"fg-caption-inner\"><div class=\"fg-caption-title\">In this May 20, 1998, file photo, former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visits the nuclear test site in Pokhran. (PTI Photo)<\/div><\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<p>Foster daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya lit the pyre as cries of \u201cAtal Bihari Amar Rahe\u201d reverberated in the air and a light drizzle fell, piercing the somber silence.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019s final resting place along the stretch which also houses the memorials of Mahatma Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.<\/p>\n<p>Several foreign dignitaries, including Bhutanese king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali and Pakistan\u2019s Law Minister Ali Zafar were present as Vajpayee was cremated with full state honors.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_55342\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-55342\" style=\"width: 850px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a data-size=\"850x567\" href=\"http:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-02.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-55342\" src=\"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-02.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"850\" height=\"567\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-02.jpg 850w, https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-02-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-02-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-02-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-02-558x372.jpg 558w, https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-02-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-02-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-02-560x374.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-55342\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>A sea of supporters attend the funeral procession of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as his mortal remains are taken for cremation to Smriti Sthal, in New Delhi, Aug 17. (Press Trust of India)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Thousands of mourners poured into the streets of the national capital as Vajpayee\u2019s cortege made its way from his home to the BJP headquarters on Deendayal Upadhyay Marg and then to the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal.<\/p>\n<p>Modi, who along with BJP president Amit Shah walked behind the gun carriage decorated with flowers for the entire route of nearly 3.5 kilometers, later said people came from all parts of India and from all sections of society to pay tributes to an extraordinary personality who made an extraordinary contribution to the nation.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIndia salutes you Atal Ji!\u201d Modi tweeted.<\/p>\n<p>The tricolor draping Vajpayee, who died Aug. 16, at the age of 93 following prolonged illness at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, was folded and handed over to his granddaughter Niharika.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_55344\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-55344\" style=\"width: 850px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a data-size=\"850x525\" href=\"http:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-04.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-55344\" src=\"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-04.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"850\" height=\"525\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-04.jpg 850w, https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-04-150x93.jpg 150w, https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-04-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-04-768x474.jpg 768w, https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-04-602x372.jpg 602w, https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-04-400x247.jpg 400w, https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-04-560x346.jpg 560w, https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-04-600x371.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-55344\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (2nd from l), Bhartiya Janata Party President Amit Shah (c) watch as Atal Bihari Vajpayee&#8217;s granddaughter Niharika (l) carries the National flag during the funeral of former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in New Delhi, Aug. 17. Three-time Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee died Aug. 16, sparking tributes from across the political spectrum as current leader Narendra Modi mourned the &#8220;irreplaceable loss&#8221; of the respected statesman. (Prakash Singh\/AFP\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>It was a sea of white, with most mourners dressed in the color of mourning to remember the man who wove together pragmatism and his vision for an inclusive India. Some could be seen wiping their tears.<\/p>\n<p>The intensity of the moment and the heat led to some mourners fainting. Among them was Khush Chaturvedi.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am not politically inclined, but I wanted to meet (former president) Kalam and Vajpayee once. I couldn\u2019t manage to meet them when they were alive, but I had to be here today,\u201d the 27-year-old from Siwan in Bihar told PTI.<\/p>\n<p>There were people everywhere, covering the roads along the route from the BJP headquarters to the Smriti Sthal from side to side, with security personnel maintaining strict vigil to ensure that nothing goes wrong.<\/p>\n<p>These were extraordinary scenes last seen when Congress leader Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in May 1991 and his funeral procession was taken from Teen Murti Bhavan to the banks of the Yamuna, said old-timers.<\/p>\n<p>The crowds had begun gathering from last night itself as news came in of the death of the three-time prime minister\u2014who joined the RSS in 1947, rose through ranks to become a stalwart of the BJP and was the first non-Congress prime minister to complete a full term in office. They first gathered at the hospital, then at his Krishna Menon Marg home and then at the BJP headquarters.<\/p>\n<p>The young and old, men and women, some with children, collected outside the gates of the BJP office, anxious for a last glimpse of the late leader. Some clambered on a neem tree outside, desperate to be part of the proceedings but unable to get inside.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_55343\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-55343\" style=\"width: 850px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a data-size=\"850x570\" href=\"http:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-03.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-55343\" src=\"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-03.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"850\" height=\"570\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-03.jpg 850w, https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-03-150x101.jpg 150w, https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-03-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-03-768x515.jpg 768w, https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-03-555x372.jpg 555w, https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-03-400x268.jpg 400w, https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-03-560x376.jpg 560w, https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PAGE-VAJPAYEE-MAIN-03-600x402.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-55343\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>In this Dec. 9, 2003, file photo, former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is seen with the then Gujarat CM Narendra Modi and BJP senior leader L.K. Advani at a lunch in New Delhi. Vajpayee, 93, passed away on Aug. 16, at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi after a prolonged illness. (Press Trust of India)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Inside, Modi and a host of ministers and party workers paid their last respects to the late leader, hailed by them and the opposition as one of India\u2019s tallest leaders.<\/p>\n<p>Hundreds of people were also seen with a large portrait of a smiling Vajpayee\u2014a BJP flag on either side\u2014in the backdrop.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier in the morning, hundreds of people chanted \u201cAtal Bihari Amar Rahe\u201d as Vajpayee\u2019s cortege made its way from his home through the city to reach the BJP office about five kilometers away.<\/p>\n<p>Mourners walked and ran beside the carriage, also chanting slogans like \u2018Jab tak sooraj chand rahega Atal ji ka naam rahega (Till the sun and moon endure, so will Atal\u2019 ji\u2019s name)\u201d, punctuated by patriotic cheers of \u2018Bharat Mata ki jai\u2019 and \u2018Vande Mataram.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>In the crowd were Ganeshan, 38, and Chennaiah Nadesan, 45, who had flown in from Tamil Nadu, who described Vajpayee as \u201cachcha politician, achcha parliamentarian, pure man\u201d in a mix of Hindi and English after paying his homage.<\/p>\n<p>Aakash Kumar, 25, rode his scooter from Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh, about 70 km away.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was probably in Class 3 or 4, when I heard one of his speeches and got drawn towards him. I really liked his poems,\u201d Aakash told PTI.<\/p>\n<p>As eulogies were written, analysts took stock of the politician and the man and the city returned to normalcy, BJP leader Anurag Thakur said the massive turnout showed he resided in the hearts of people.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNot only has India has lost a leader, a son, the world has lost a statesman,\u201d Thakur told reporters.<\/p>\n<p>Seen as a moderate face of BJP, Vajpayee first became prime minister in 1996, leading a shaky coalition whose members were suspicious of the BJP\u2019s right-wing politics. It lasted for 13 days and collapsed after losing a vote of no-confidence.<\/p>\n<p>His second stint as prime minister was in 1998 when the National Democratic Alliance again came to power but that lasted for just 13 months.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, the NDA with Vajpayee as PM returned to power in 1999 and was voted out in 2004.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>File photo of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. (AFP\/Getty Images) Bugles sounded the last post, uniformed soldiers gave a gun salute and silence fell over the crowd as former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee\u2019s mortal remains were consigned to the flames evening of Aug. 17, the sun setting on the life of a poet-politician&#8230;<\/p>\n<div class=\"read-more-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/india-mourns-as-vajpayee-laid-to-rest-with-full-state-honors\/\">Read More<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":55341,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[275,5,72,19],"tags":[565,7854,2867,50,49,7855,147,144],"class_list":["post-55365","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-current-affairs","category-politics-current-affairs","category-topics","tag-bjp","tag-atal-bihari-vajpayee","tag-bharatiya-janata-party","tag-india","tag-narendra-modi","tag-nda","tag-siliconeer","tag-tribute"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55365","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55365"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55365\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/55341"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55365"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55365"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55365"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}