Sports fraternity condoles demise of Vajpayee

The sports fraternity has come in unison to pay tribute to former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away yesterday after a prolonged illness.

The 93-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran breathed his last at 5:05 pm on Thursday at All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in New Delhi.

Vajpayee was admitted to AIIMS on June 11 with complications arising out of Urinary Tract Infection, low urine output, and chest congestion. He was on life support since Wednesday morning after his condition deteriorated.

From master blaster Sachin Tendulkar to chess champion Viswanathan Anand, all took to their social media handles to condole the demise of Vajpayee.

Insisting that the former prime minister's contributions to the country were innumerable, legendary cricketer Tendulkar tweeted, "India is at a great loss today. Shri #AtalBihariVajpayee ji's contributions to our nation have been innumerable. Thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones."
Indian boxing sensation Vijender Singh described Vajpayee as a "man who won over million hearts." He wrote, "One of the Greatest PM this Country has ever seen.A visionary, A poet, A statesman, A man who won over million hearts. Man who deserves nothing but respect. Bharat Ratna #AtalBihariVajpayee is no more with us. His contribution for the motherland will inspire generations to come."

Indian badminton player Jwala Gutta, on the other hand, also took to her Twitter handle and condoled the demise of the late BJP stalwart. "End of an era #RIPAtalBihariVaajpayee ??," she tweeted.

Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman said that Vajpayee ji was nation's most loved prime minister and a great poet."One of India's Most Loved Prime Minister, a great poet and a wonderful statesman. We as a nation will miss you sir #AtalBihariVaajpayee ji ???? Deepest condolences to admirers and loved ones," Laxman wrote on Twitter.

Five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand also paid homage, writing, "India loses one of its great leaders. "Gentle Giant" thats a wonderful way to remember him and his work. My deepest condolences . #ripvajpayee."

Former captain of Indian women cricket team Anjum Chopra described Vajpayee as an `iconic leader`. She tweeted, "An iconic leader, a visionary, a former prime minister, a Bharat Ratna. #AtalBihariVaajpayee ji really stood out tall as a statesman in Indian Politics. #RIP sir ????."

Vajpayee, the 10th prime minister of India who passed away on Thursday evening, will be cremated on Friday with full state honour. The mortal remains of the former prime minister which is presently resting at his Krishna Menon Marg home will be taken to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters at around 9 a.m. Vajpayee's funeral procession will take place at Smriti Sthal at 1:30 pm.

He led the National Democratic Alliance government from 1998 to 2004 and was also the first-ever member of the BJP to become India's Prime Minister. The Central and all state governments have declared a seven-day holiday.

--ANI