Thousands gather as Vajpayee's funeral procession leaves BJP headquarters

The funeral procession will go through Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Delhi Gate, Netaji Subhash Marg, Nishadraj Marg and Shanti van before reaching Smriti Sthal.

Thousands of mourners jostled and some clambered on trees to capture the moment on their phones as former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's cortege left the BJP's headquarters for Rashtriya Smriti Sthal for the last rites of the poet-politician.

People from across the country gathered outside the BJP headquarters and hundreds lined up inside to pay homage to the former prime minister, who wove together pragmatism and a vision for an inclusive India.

Vajpayee, 93, passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi Thursday evening after prolonged illness.

The young and old, men and women, some with children, collected outside the gates of the BJP headquarters, anxious for a last glimpse of the late leader before the state funeral at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal on the banks of the Yamuna later in the day.

Some clambered on a neem tree outside the BJP headquarters for a better look, desperate to be part of the proceedings but unable to get inside.

Two big LED screens were placed outside the office.

Inside, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and a host of ministers and party workers paid their last respects to the late leader, mourned by them and the opposition as one of India's tallest leaders.

ALSO READ: Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's mortal remains taken to BJP headquarters

The air was solemn as Vajpayee's body, draped in the tricolour, was placed on a platform draped in white flowers. Hundreds of people filed past the body in silence, with a large portrait of a smiling Vajpayee -- a BJP flag on either side -- in the backdrop.

Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali were among the foreign dignitaries who arrived here to pay their last respects to the former prime minister.

Sri Lanka's Acting Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella, Nepal's Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali, Pakistan's acting information minister Syed Zafar Ali and a senior minister from Afghanistan are also expected to arrive later in the day, official sources said.

Opposition leaders like CPI's D Raja and CPI(M)'s Sitaram Yechury were among those who visited the BJP headquarters to pay their respects.

Article Source BS

Vajpayee's death: Railway exams to be conducted today as scheduled

The announcement came after a half-day holiday was declared for all central government departments on Friday.

The Indian Railways has announced that the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) exams scheduled for Friday for the post of assistant loco pilots and technicians will go ahead as per schedule across India except for flood-hit Kerala.

The announcement came after a half-day holiday was declared for all central government departments on Friday in the wake of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's death.

"We are announcing that RRB exam will be conducted in all the three shifts on 17.08.18, as scheduled. This is being done through RRB websites. Over and above that individual SMSs are also being sent to about 436,000 candidates scheduled for the exam," Director of Information and Publicity of Indian Railways, Rajesh Bajpai said.

The 93-year-old BJP veteran breathed his last at 5:05 pm on Thursday, here at All India Institutes of Medical Science (AIIMS) following a prolonged illness. Vajpayee, who was the country's 10th Prime Minister, will be laid to rest at the Smriti Sthal on Friday afternoon.

ALSO READ: With Vajpayee, curtains for an era that was gentler, but more democratic

However, Bajpai added it was not possible to conduct the exam in Kerala on Friday due to the devastating situation in the flood-hit state.

"Due to worsening flood situation in Kerala, it is not possible to conduct the exam tomorrow. So exam in Kerala centres is being postponed," he stated.

About 27,000 candidates were scheduled to give exam for the post in Kerala, where the death toll has increased to 94 due to floods.

Article Source BS

Vajpayee's funeral likely to be attended by special envoys from Pak, Nepal

Vajpayee, who led the National Democratic Alliance government from 1998 to 2004, was the first-ever member of the BJP to become India's Prime Minister.

India's neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka are sending their special representatives to attend the funeral of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 93 after a prolonged illness.

Vajpayee, who was the country's 10th Prime Minister, will be laid to rest at the Smriti Sthal on Friday afternoon.

According to Dunya News, Pakistan is planning to send its envoy to attend Vajpayee's funeral procession. Pakistan's acting Law and Information Minister Ali Zafar is likely to attend the last rites of former Indian prime minister.

Sri Lanka's Department of Government Information confirmed that the country's acting foreign affairs minister Lakshman Kiriella would grace his presence at the funeral service of 93-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwart, as the special envoy of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

ALSO READ: With Vajpayee, curtains for an era that was gentler, but more democratic

According to The Himalayan Times, Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's Press Advisor Kundan Aryal said that the country's foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali would leave for New Delhi on Friday to attend late Vajpayee's last rites, representing the Government of Nepal.

In a statement, Bangladesh's foreign ministry also announced that AH Mahmood Ali would be visiting New Delhi to be present at Vajpayee's funeral, bdnews24.com reported.

The 93-year-old BJP veteran breathed his last at 5:05 pm on Thursday at All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in New Delhi. Vajpayee was admitted to AIIMS on June 11 with complications arising out of Urinary Tract Infection, low urine output, and chest congestion. He was on life support since Wednesday morning after his condition deteriorated.

Vajpayee, who led the National Democratic Alliance government from 1998 to 2004, was the first-ever member of the BJP to become India's Prime Minister. The Central and all state governments have declared a seven-day holiday.

Article Source BS