New Delhi, July 28
The nation bid a tearful adieu to Vice-President Krishan Kant this afternoon when his mortal remains were consigned to flames amidst the chanting of Vedic hymns at Nigambodh Ghat on the banks of the Yamuna.
Jawans of Rajputana Rifles fired thrice in the air, reversed their arms and sounded the last post as the Vice-President’s elder son Rashmikant lit the pyre at 5.25 pm. Relatives and friends broke down as the flames leapt up and many a VVIP were seen wiping their tears.
President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi, former President R. Venkataraman, former Prime Ministers I.K. Gujral and H.D. Deve Gowda, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Najma Heptulla, Leader of the Opposition Sonia Gandhi, NDA vice-presidential nominee B.S. Shekhawat, Members of Parliament and several Chief Ministers and Governors placed wreaths on Kant’s body.
A number of diplomats from various embassies and high commissions were also present at Nigambodh Ghat to pay their last respects to Kant who died here on Saturday morning following a massive heart attack.
Kant’s 97-year-old mother Satyavati, wife Suman, younger son Sukant, daughter Divya Handa and grandchildren were also present.
Inhabitants of his native village also came to pay their last respects.
The Vice-President’s body was brought in a gun carriage from his official residence in a procession led by the General-Officer-Commanding, Delhi area.
The National Flag flew at half mast as the country observed a three-day state mourning as a mark of respect to the veteran freedom fighter and Gandhian who was to demit office next
month.
