The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Week-long mourning in State, holiday today

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 24, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Week-long mourning in State, holiday today

Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, DEC. 23. A sense of grief and sorrow overtook the State following the passing away of P. V. Narasimha Rao, the first South Indian Prime Minister of the country and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, in New Delhi today.

Work in the Secretariat came to a standstill when news about his death spread while there was gloom at Gandhi Bhavan, headquarters of the APCC, where an emergency condolence meeting was held. Leaders across the political spectrum grieved the death of `PV' whom they described as an astute politician, able administrator, freedom fighter, pioneer of economic reforms and an eminent educationist.

The Government announced a week-long official mourning in the State as a mark of respect and declared Friday a holiday for its offices, educational institutions and other establishments.

The Chief Secretary, Mohan Kanda, said that as part of the mourning, all the official entertainment programmes, inaugurations and functions stood cancelled. The national flag would fly at half-mast during the period.

Shinde, YSR shocked

The Government stated that Friday would be a holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act covering banks. The High Court and subordinate courts would also be closed. A GAD official said the Government offices would open only on Monday as Saturday and Sunday would also be holidays, the first on account of Christmas.

The Chief Minister, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who heard the news immediately after landing at Hindupur, flew on to Bangalore in order to catch a flight for New Delhi. He spoke to P. V. Ranga Rao and suggested that the funeral be held in his native State in view of his strong sentimental bond with the Telugu people. The Governor, Sushil Kumar Shinde, expressed shock and deep grief. In a condolence message he said that Mr. Rao was a statesman, linguist, great administrator and freedom fighter. On a personal note, Mr. Shinde said that Mr. Rao guided him on the way to national politics.

The Chief Minister, Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy, expressed his shock and grief at the passing away Mr. Rao, and said that his death was an irreparable loss to the country. In a condolence message he said the services rendered by him in various capacities in the State and at the Centre had opened a new chapter in the country's annals.

Naidu's condolences

He said that Rao as representative of the world's largest democracy spread the glory of India all over the world. He said that he was a politician par excellence and played a constructive role in politics both in the State and national level.

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