Many pay tributes to Vajpayee ; Prayer meeting held, ashes immersed in river
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, August 23 2018: Governor Najma Heptulla and Chief Minister N Biren Singh led the people from all walks of life in paying homage and offering floral tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at a public prayer meeting held at City Convention Centre, Palace Compound today.

The urn containing ashes of the former Prime Minister arrived Imphal airport from Delhi at around 12.30 pm.

From there, a at procession was taken out in a specially-designed Maruti Gypsy up to BJP Manipur Pradesh office located at Nityaipat Chuthek, where Chief Minister N Biren Singh joined hundreds of people in paying floral tributes to the Bharat Ratna awardee and the veteran leader.

Later, a procession was taken out led by the Chief Minister carrying the ashes of Vajpayee up to City Convention Centre, where a State level public prayer meeting was held.

Speaking at the prayer meeting, the Governor said that 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 specially when she was the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

The Governor said that she is hoping to write a book on how democracy worked when a deputy Chairman and an Opposition leader belonging to different political backgrounds shared views on the matters relating to the Nation.

Najma Heptulla said that Vajpayee was a true human being ^nd a true Indian.

Throughout his life, he believed in his commitments, and he would be ever remembered for his works towards the service of the Nation, Heptulla said.

In his speech, Chief Minister N Biren remembered Vajpayee as a warm hearted leader and a Parliamentarian, who never differentiated people on the basis of caste, creed, rich or poor and Opposition or ruling parties.

The Chief Minister said that he visited the National capital to attend the cremation of the former Prime Minister last week.

N Biren informed that he also participated in the procession which covered around 6 km on foot from BJP headquarters to Smriti Sthal and was participated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hordes of senior leaders and politicians Poming from different parts of the country along with thousands of people.

Biren said that a person's greatness and contribution to the Nation is visible more clearly only when he/she passes away.

He added that the huge turnout and participation by many noted and senior leaders in the said procession and cremation ceremony despite the scorching heat of around 42 degree Celsius clearly showed how much love and respect people have for Vajpayee.

In his demise, the country has lost a great leader, the Chief Minister lamented.

He also urged the people of the State to share the grief of 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 tributes to the photograph of Vajpayee.

Later, ashes of the former Prime Minister were immersed in Imphal River by the Chief Minister.

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