Funeral ceremony of Atal Bihari Vajpayee begins at Smriti Sthal

Last rite ceremony of Atal Bihari Vajpayee underway at Smriti Sthal.
With heavy hearts, millions of Indians will today bid adieu to the former Prime Minister of the country Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who took his last breath on Thursday at the age of 93. Funeral of the charismatic leader will be held at Smriti Sthal in the national capital Delhi in the evening.

A profound grief has taken over the country which is observing a seven-day mourning for the popular leader, who was immensely admired for his poetic and oratory skills.

Vajpayee was admitted at the premier All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on June 11 with a kidney tract infection, urinary tract infection, low urine output and chest congestion.

The mortal remains of Atal Bihari Vajpayee being taken to Smriti Sthal for funeral.

Vajpayee who is fondly remembered as one of the most eloquent Prime Ministers of India held the post three times. He served as Prime Minister for a short stint in 1996. Later on March 19, 1998, he took charge as Prime Minister of India and again on October 13, 1999, for the second consecutive term as the head of a new coalition government.

Hundreds of people have queued up outside his residence since morning to pay their last respects to the veteran leader.