Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be cremated on Friday with full state honours in central’s Rashtriya Smriti Sthal on the banks of the Yamuna, the designated spot for the last rites of presidents, vice-presidents and prime ministers.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee was one of India’s most-admired politicians. His funeral was taken on a journey today through the streets of Delhi with a sea of people following the procession.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has earlier said while expressing his grief that “it’s like a losing a father” surprised all by walking through the entire four-km stretch along the glass casket which was taken on a military vehicle to the funeral ground on the banks of the river Yamuna.
Prime Minister was separated from the crowd for security reasons by a ring of security personnel and policemen.
People on twitter hailed Modi’s decision to walk along side the three-time former prime minister who died yesterday after a long illness.
Here are some tweets showing showers of loving responses from Twitteratis to PM Modi and Atal ji.
What A Gesture By Our Beloved Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji.
He Is Walking Along Side Last Journey Of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji. Risking His Life Amidst Lakhs Of People.? A True Swayamsevak.#AtaljiAmarRahen pic.twitter.com/3ic4vLsczR— Shreekanth S Huddar (@ShreeSHuddar) August 17, 2018
Modi ji walking all the way in the Final journey of Atal ji#AtaljiAmarRahen #Gurushishya pic.twitter.com/JVxFjcccno
— Manikandan Vidyasekharan (@cvmani) August 17, 2018
Strong messaging by @narendramodi and @AmitShah in walking alongside Atalji’s final journey. A) BJP as part of a ‘Parivar’ who has just lost their patriarch. B) desire to ensure ABV is given his due as one of India’s tallest netas and the first non-Cong pm to complete 5 years..
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) August 17, 2018
This is quite unprecedented. Quite a remarkable tribute for @narendramodi & @AmitShah to walk all the way from the BP HQ to Rashtriya Smriti Sthal. Deepest mark of respect. Entire pantheon of BJP leaders marching alongside. #AlvidaAtal
— Rahul Kanwal (@rahulkanwal) August 17, 2018
Exactly my thoughts…So good to see @narendramodi ji walking all the way…. An emotional moment too! Atal ji has earned this respect indeed!! https://t.co/0znioFHv8h
— richa anirudh (@richaanirudh) August 17, 2018
So touching to see the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi walk behind the funeral hearse carrying former PM BJP Atal Bihari Vajpayee for cremation. A huge security risk as estimated 500,000 people have lined the streets in the heart of Delhi. Neerja Choahan pic.twitter.com/gkP3x7EKmy
— Neelima Choahan (@NeelimaChoahan) August 17, 2018
Sea of humanity has emerged on Delhi roads. Prime Minister @narendramodi & BJP chief @AmitShah & CMs & Union ministers walking to Rashtriya Smriti Sthal. People's PM #AtalBihariVajpayee Lives in our memory as his last journey to meet his 'Creator' is about to culminate.
— Pramod Kumar Singh (@SinghPramod2784) August 17, 2018
Hats off to Prime Minister @narendramodi Ji. I may differ with you on certain policies, but you have started a great tradition by walking behind the coffin of #AtalBihariVajpayee on his last journey. मोदीजी को मेरा नमन. आपने एक बड़ी मिसाल कायम की है.
— Ramesh Parida (@RameshParida1) August 17, 2018
Overwhelmed by scenes I am seeing on the TV today. PM Modi walking alongside the Atal Bihari Vajpayee's body shows the amount of respect he had for the man. #AtaljiAmarRahen
— Nithesh (@mlessp) August 17, 2018
Sir in the history of India no PM had walked along with the mortal remains of any working or former PMs and Presidents. You are great Sir no words to appreciate you. That is Modiji for tje country and abroad. God bless you and Atal ji gets pleasef very much at his son Modi ji
— Jayaprakash Reddy (@DrjpreddyReddy) August 17, 2018
PM Modi walking along the caravan of Sri #ataljiamarrahen is an evident site of the Shishya walking with the Guru. As beautiful as it gets. Reminds of the video when @narendramodi hugged atal ji like an innocent kid hugs his parents. Tearful moment.
— India First (@OurIndiaFirst19) August 17, 2018
Narendra Modi and Amit Shah walking all the way with the funeral cortege almost like 2 elder sons of the family – not only shows – the spirit and culture of BJP – but is also a huge message to the nation. #AtaljiAmarRahe #AtalBihariVajpayee https://t.co/C0PZ41zE7R
— GhoseSpot (@SandipGhose) August 17, 2018
And during this moment parasites like @sardesairajdeep says that this is an event management for BJP How can one stoop to such a level @rahulkanwal couldnt even muster courage to give his boss back. I wish Post'19 Rajdeep becomes irrelevant forever.
— Prish Thakkar (@PrishThakkar) August 17, 2018
RSD's problem is not with "event management" (he would certainly remember funeral processions for Indira and Rajiv) but that BJP is able to put up such a show. Truly it is pathetic to see him and Sagarika to become so bitter. #AtaljiAmarRahen #AtalBihariVajpayee
— GhoseSpot (@SandipGhose) August 17, 2018
Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji
(1924-2018)A Statesmans Final Journey!!
Look How the Present PM @narendramodi Loyal Soldier, who is Paying his Tributes to his Mentor, A Fatherly Figure, who was A Guiding light when facing challenges!
A Politician,SwayamSevak & Orator!
Om Shanti? pic.twitter.com/D15OZhH3aX
— #gurukulsukanya iyer (@sukanyaiyer2) August 17, 2018
And PM Modi along with all the other BJP stalwarts walk behind the mortal remains of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Those who criticise RSS value system must understand that only RSS gives you these values or there’re also people who didn’t even let an ex-PM have his final rites in Delhi.
— Sonam Mahajan (@AsYouNotWish) August 17, 2018
Story of two mindsets & pictures
Pic 1: @narendramodi @AmitShah participating in #AtalBihariVajpayee 's Antim Yatra as nation mourns his loss
Pic 2: Sidhu @RahulGandhi 's chela celebrating Imran Khan's swearing in while entering Pakistan through Wagah
#AtaljiAmarRahen pic.twitter.com/No7SPQy4gW— Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) August 17, 2018
From Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg to Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, @PMOIndia walking behind the Gun Carriage. Thousands and thousands walk along. Tributes that Atal Bihari Vajpayee richly deserves. (Though a major security risk for @narendramodi ) pic.twitter.com/v9jKojLW9E
— GAURAV C SAWANT (@gauravcsawant) August 17, 2018
Hats-off to @narendramodi Ji; he's breaking all the protocols and walking firmly behind the vehicle which is carrying the mortal remains of #AtalBihariVajpayee . This is what @RSSorg Sangh teaches; camaraderie and respect. Proud to have a Prime Minister like Modi Ji..
— Viral Bhatt (@Enlivened_Viral) August 17, 2018
Very touching and sentimental and much respected gesture of accompanying #AtalBihariVajpayee ji in his final journey. But @narendramodi ji and @AmitShah ji please ensure your own safety even to keep ABV legacy going. #AtalJiAmarRahen
— Suresh N (@surnell) August 17, 2018
Throat feels choked up seeing Modiji himself follow Atalji's carriage to Smriti Sthal. Thank you PM for representing all citizens in person, despite security threats. We feel like one big family. Tears may dry up, but emotions attached to our dear one will live forever.
— गीतिका (@ggiittiikkaa) August 17, 2018
