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Moscow/Hyderabad:
President Pratibha Devisingh Patil on Thursday condoled the tragic
and untimely demise of the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Y.S
Rajasekhara Reddy, and described him as a dynamic Chief Minister who
always worked for the welfare of the people of Andhra Pradesh even
as thousands lined funeral route to pay homage to the late leader.
In her condolence message, from Moscow, where she is currently on a
State Visit to Russia, President Patil said that in his sudden
demise, the people of Andhra Pradesh and indeed the nation, have
lost a dynamic leader.
"I had the opportunity to interact with him on a number of
occasions. During our interactions his deep commitment to the
development of Andhra Pradesh, its rural areas and the weaker
sections of society and the empowerment of women was always
evident," said President Pratibha Patil.
PM, Sonia pay homage to YSR, thousands line funeral
route
The
Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and Congress Party President
Sonia Gandhi paid homage to former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S.
Rajsekhar Reddy on Friday.
Reddy, who died in a helicopter crash along with four others on
Wednesday morning, also received floral tribute from other Congress
leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Defence Minister A K Antony and
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit at the Chief Minister's Camp
office in Hyderabad’s Begumpet area.
The
leaders also wrote condolence messages in a book at the camp office.
Thereafter, the funeral cortege moved out of the premises and moved
along a designated route towards the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium,
where it will lie in state for about three hours to allow the
general public and politicians to pay their last respects to the
departed leader.
The
Andhra Pradesh capital was a see of grieving humanity as people from
all walks of life gathered in tens of thousands on major
thoroughfares to give a fitting farewell to their son of the soil,
YSR.
The
flower bedecked army truck and funeral convoy, led by his
emotionally distressed son M. Jagan Reddy, wound its way slowly
through the streets of the city towards the stadium. Jagan Reddy
greeted the emotionally charged masses lining the route with folded
hands.
The
Andhra Pradesh Government has declared five days of state mourning
in honour of YSR and cancelled all the official programs in the
state.
Reddy's Bell 430 chopper went missing on Wednesday morning at about
9.35 and could only be located almost 24 hours later on Thursday
morning following a night long search operation by different units
of security personnel including Army's Commandos, Air Force's
Sukhoi-30, and 5,000 CRPF personnel.
The
wreckage was discovered atop a hill about 40 nautical miles from
Kurnoool town.
Along with YSR, four others-- Dr P Subramanium, the
Special Secretary to the Chief Minister; ASC Wesley, Chief Security
Officer and two pilots Group Captain SK Bhatia and Captain MS
Reddy-died in the crash.
Burial
to be held today at Pulivendula
The
last rites of the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S.Rajsekhar Reddy
will be held with full state honours at his native place Pulivendula
in Cuddapah district today.
According to sources the burial of the departed Chief Minister will
be held at around 5 p. m. Before that the body of the Reddy will be
placed at Lal Bahdur Shastri stadium to enable the public and
supporters to pay the last respects, sources said.
The
Andhra Pradesh Government has declared five days state mourning in
honour of YSR and cancelled all the official programmes in the state
and the national flag will be hoisted at half-mast.
Reddy's Bell 430 chopper went missing on Wednesday morning at about
9.35 and could only be located on Thursday morning following a night
long search operation by different units of security personnel
including Army's Commandos, Air Force's Sukhoi-30, and 5,000 CRPF
personnel.
Reddy's chopper wreckage was discovered atop a hill about 40
nautical miles from Kurnoool town.
Along with YSR, four others-- Dr P Subramanium, the Special
Secretary to the Chief Minister; ASC Wesley, Chief Security Officer
and two pilots Group Captain SK Bhatia and Captain MS Reddy-died in
the crash. (ANI)
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