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Manipur chief minister, N Biren Singh, along with other officials are seen submerging the urn containing ashes of the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vaypayee in Imphal River on AUgust 23.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Imphal, Aug. 23 (EMN): Manipur governor, Dr. Najma Heptulla, and the chief minister, N Biren Singh, led the people in paying homage and offering floral tributes to the former prime minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in a public prayer meeting organised in his honour in Imphal.
Speaking at the prayer meeting, Dr. Najma Heptulla said paying tribute to the former prime minister would be meaningful only when people follow his path – the path of true democracy and tender heart.
The governor said, “I think if we really want to pay tribute to him, we should follow his path to serve the nation without any expectation. He died without any property or land.”
Heptulla also remembered her long association with the former prime minister especially when she was the deputy chairperson of the Rajya Sabha. The governor expressed her desire to write a book on how the democracy worked when a deputy chairperson and an opposition leader, belonging to different political backgrounds, shared views on the matters relating to the nation.
She said Vajpayee was a true human being and a true Indian, who believed in his commitment throughout his life adding that he would be ever remembered for his works towards the service of the nation.
In his speech, chief minister Biren Singh remembered Vajpayee as a warm hearted leader and a good parliamentarian, who never differentiated people on the basis of caste, creed, rich or poor and opposition or ruling parties.
Biren recounted his visit to the national capital to attend the cremation of the former prime minister last week and had participated in the funeral procession covering around 6 km on foot from BJP Headquarters to Smriti Sthal.
Biren stated that a person’s greatness and contribution to the nation is visible more clearly only when he/she passes away. He was astonished by the huge turnout of people comprising noted personalities and senior leaders in the procession.
He lamented that the country has lost a great leader in his demise. He also urged the people of the state to share grief with the bereaved family.
Manipur legislative assembly speaker, Y Khemchand, cabinet ministers, MLAs, senior politicians, high ranking civil and police officers and a large number of people also attended the prayer meeting and paid floral tribute to the photograph of Vajpayee.
Later, ashes of the former prime minister were immersed in Imphal River by the chief minister. Earlier, the urn containing ashes of the former prime minister arrived at Imphal Airport from Delhi at around 12:30 pm.
A procession was taken out from the Airport to the BJP Manipur Pradesh office located at Nityaipat Chuthek, where the chief minister joined the people in paying floral tributes to the Bharat Ratna awardee and the veteran leader.
