Bhopal: State capital also joined the nation to bid tearful adieu to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Friday. The death of visionary statesman has drowned the city, which shares a close connection with the veteran leader, in grief and sorrow. Emotions poured out as people remembered the BJP patriarch for the variety of skills he possessed, including his powerful poetries.
Government offices, educational institutes and business establishments including petrol pumps remained closed on the day as a mark of respect to the country’s most charismatic leaders. A seven-day state mourning has been announced by the Centre as a mark of respect to the former prime minister who died on Thursday after prolonged illness.
Traders and businessmen in markets like Chowk Bazar, New Market, bullion market and other commercial complexes pulled down their shutters to pay their final respect to the country’s beloved leader. Petrol pumps across the state remained closed for an hour from 2.00pm. Even district and sessions court remained closed on the day. Besides, BHEL too declared holiday from 12.00 noon to 9.00PM as part of the national mourning.
In Walled City’s Chowk Bazar, traders organised a condolence meet. Akhil Bharatiya Vyapar Mandal general secretary Anupam Agrawal said, “Chowk Bazar and Sarafa Bazar remained closed as a mark of respect to Vajpayee. We paid tributes to the visionary leader and great statesman. Members of Vyapar Mandal joined the condolence meet at Chowk Bazar. His death has created political vacuum in Indian politics,” said Agrawal.
Ajay Singh, president of MP Petrol pump dealers Association, said, “Over 3200 petrol pumps located in all over the state remained closed for an hour as mark of respect to great leader. In Bhopal, no business was conducted at 105 petrol pumps from 2 pm to 3 pm.
BHEL’s Public relations officer Vinodanand Jha said, “BHEL declared off from 12.00 noon to 9.00pm as mark of respect to the great patriot. Religious leaders, sadhus paid tributes to the former Prime Minister at Sheetal Das Ki Bagia (Upper Lake). The sadhus had gathered to launch an agitation over land acquisition but they deferred their protest following the demise of the country’s towering leader.
