Meghalaya declares State Holiday as respect to former PM, Vajpayee

Shillong, Aug 16: The Meghalaya government has announced a state holiday on Friday to mourn the death of former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

All state government offices, institutions and educational institutions will remain closed in on Friday, Meghalaya Chief Secretary, Yeshi Tsering announced on Thursday through a message which was dispatched to deputy commissioners of all districts in the state.

Tsering said that as a mark of respect to the departed dignity, the former Prime Minister of India, it has been decided seven days of state mourning will be observed throughout the state from August 16.

During this period, the National Flag will be flown at half mask throughout the state and there will be no official entertainment during the period of state mourning for seven days till August 22.

Meghalaya Governor, Ganga Prasad in his condolence message said the nation lost an able parliamentarian, a statesman par excellence, and an extra ordinary human being.

“The nation will gratefully remember his phenomenal contributions during his stint as the Prime Minister of India between 1999 and 2004 – the Pokhran nuclear test, his role during the Kargil War, and the initiation of the Golden Quadrilateral being the most notable of them. His economic and foreign policies have left a firm and indelible imprint on the nation and will be forever remembered in the memories of the people of our country. May his soul rest in peace,” the Governor said in his message.

Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma also described Vajpayee, a veteran and able administrator who had served the nation in different spheres.

Vajpayee was a Member of Parliament for over four decades, being elected ten times to the Lok Sabha and twice to the Rajya Sabha until 2009 when he retired from active politics.

“Vajpayee will be remembered for his keen interest to develop the North Eastern states was very clear when the day-long brainstorming on socio- economic development of the North Eastern States with his key ministers then L. K. Advani, Yashwant Sinha, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission K. C. Pant and Governors and Chief Ministers of the North Eastern states to Shillong on January 21, 2000,” Conrad said

The Meghalaya CM recalled that under Vajpayee as Prime Minister, the Central government had created a separate department of Development of North-Eastern Region (DONER) to ensure all round development in the region, the East-West corridor connecting Assam’s Silchar with Gujarat’s Porbandar and many more.

“The nation has lost an eminent public figure and multi-faceted personality who made immense contributions for the greater good of our country,” he said.

Conveying his condolence on behalf of the people of Meghalaya and from the family members of his late father Purno Agitok Sangma, Conrad said, “I pray to the Almighty to give the family the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss.”

Information and Public Relations Minister, A.L. Hek who is also the BJP MLA conveyed his condolence.

Terming Vajpayee a “great statesman” of India and the first from the BJP who became the Prime Minister of India thrice, Hek said, “(Late) Vajpayeeji was my political mentor. His death will be particularly felt by the whole nation. The memory of his brilliant leadership will however, remain a source of inspiration for me and the people of the country.”

The Centre has announced seven-day mourning throughout India.

BJP president, Amit Shah announced that Vajpayee’s funeral will be held at 4pm on Friday, with state honours. The funeral will be held at Smriti Sthal in the national capital.

Several state governments including Delhi, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh Punjab and Uttarakhand have also announced a holiday on Friday as a mark of respect to the former Prime Minister.