President, PM condole deaths

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JUNE 3. The President, Mr. K.R. Narayanan, today led the nation in paying homage to King Birendra. Mr. Narayanan and the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, visited the Nepalese embassy here to offer their condolences to the Royal family. Both the President and the Prime Minister signed the condolence book kept to convey the nation's ``deep shock and sorrow'' at the ``untimely and tragic demise'' of King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya and other members of the Royal family on Friday night.

Paying his homage to the King, Mr. Narayanan said King Birendra was not only a great leader of Nepal but also a visionary of South Asian cooperation. ``This was a great tragedy and an irreparable loss for the people of Nepal. On behalf of the Government and the people of India and on my own behalf, I convey our sincere condolences to the Government and the people of Nepal in this hour of grief.'' The President, who visited the embassy in the morning, was received by the Ambassador of Nepal and other senior officials. The Foreign Secretary, Ms. Chokila Iyer, was also present.

The Vice-President, Mr. Krishan Kant, also expressed shock and deep anguish. In his message, he said, ``members of the Royal family have lost their lives in circumstances that are as extraordinary as they are heart wrenching. This tragedy has plunged all of Nepal into deep sorrow, shared fully by the people of India. Their majesties devoted their lives to maintain peace, prosperity and stability of Nepal. The people of India will remember with deep appreciation the contribution of the King and Queen to building Indo-Nepalese relations.''

The Bharat Nepal Maitri Sangh, an organisation to promote India- Nepal friendship, also sent its heartfelt condolences.

3-day mourning in Bhutan

Meanwhile, Bhutan, another Himalayan Kingdom, has declared a three-day state mourning. The Bhutanese flag will be flown at half-mast throughout the country and in all Bhutanese missions. All public functions during this period remains cancelled.

The Bhutan King, Mr. Jigme Singye Wangchuk, sent condolence messages to the Royal family, the people and the Government of Nepal, said a Bhutanese Embassy release here. ``King Birendra was a source of great strength and inspiration to his country. He was also widely admired for his contributions in promoting understanding and cooperation in our region, and his passing away is not only a loss for Nepal but for the region and the world,'' Mr. Wangchuk said.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : National
Previous : 14 militants killed in J&K
Next     : 'New regime not anti-India'