A seven-day state mourning declared in Sikkim

सिक्किमका प्रथम मुख्यमन्त्री एलडी काजीको निधन, सात दिवसीय शोकको घोषणा

A seven-day state mourning declared in Sikkim

Gangtok,July29 :A seven-day state mourning has been declared in Sikkim till August 4 as a mark of respect to Sikkim’s first chief minister & SikkimRatna Lhendup Dorjee Khangsharpa, popularly known as Kazi Saab who breathed his last in Kalimpong yesterday night at 8.35 pm.

The national flag will be flown at half mast on all buildings, where it is flown regularly, in the state.Also, there will be no official entertainment during the period of state mourning from July 29 to August 04, 2007 official spokesmen said.

The Sikkim declared on August 3 - day of funeral a holiday in all its offices, educational institutions and corporation and board offices in the state as a mark of respect to the late leader.

In Kalimpong as per family sources body of late CM would be cremated on the Friday, August 3,2007.Earlier it was also reported insome media that same would be done at old Rumtek Gumpa.

Meanwhile ,Government of Sikkim has declared that it would bear all funeral expenses and would arrange a state funeral on one of most favourite leaders of Sikkim,who have been regarded as the father of democracy in Sikkim.

Sikkim Chief Minister Dr.Pawan Chamling accompanied by his advisor B.B.Gooroong who was a fellow councillor with Mr. Khangsarpa in 1979 reached Kalimpong at 12.44 P.M. on July 29 and paid tribute to late Shri Kazi. The Former Chief Minister and political advisor to CM Shri B.B. Gooroong.Paying his last respect to the departed leader, Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling described him as a distinguished statesman who had motivated him to join the struggle for democracy in 1973

Minister Shri K.N. Rai, former minister Shri R.C. Poudyel, Shri C.D. Rai, N.B. Khatiwada and many dignitaries from Sikkim offered khadas and garlands paying tribute to former Chief Minister Kazi,a childless widower.

Chief Minister Chamling conveyed his condolence to the bereaved family and wrote down his condolence in the book. While speaking to the people and the media persons there, Chief Minister Chamling said that there will be state mourning for a week and the funeral will be organized by State Government with full state honours. He said that the demise of the first former Chief Minister is a great loss not only to the State but to the nation as well who is the architect of the merger of Sikkim.

The mortal remainsof Kazi Sahib will be brought to theRumtek Monastery onAugust1, and assisgned to flames on Friday,August3 with full state honours.

Sikkim Chief Minister Dr.Chamling who rushed to Kalimpong to pay his respect on hearing news of demise has emphasised that Kazi’s life was dedicated to the service of the people by adhering to the ideals of secularism, communal harmony and national integration. Sikkim Governor also reached Kalimpong to pay the last respects to departed soul.
In Gangtok, former chief Minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari described him as "Yuga Purush".