GANGTOK, Aug 3: About 5,000 people including ministers, officials and others gathered at the Old Rumtek Monastery near here today to pay their last respects to Sikkim’s first chief minister Kazi Lendup Dorjee Khangsherpa who passed away recently.His body was kept in a box covered with colorful khadas (traditional scarf) and the national flag under the Buddhist traditional parasol for all to observe.As rains took a break and the sun shone bright, Kazi’s body draped in the Tricolour was taken out of the old Rumtek monastery, which he had headed once, for the final journey. With monks chanting in the front followed by police band, the cortege was taken to the cremation ground above the monastery. 
Chief minister Mr Pawan Chamling and Assembly speaker Mr DN Thakarpa were present at the ceremony along with other ministers and dignitariesled by chief secretary N.D. Chingapa were present. The General officer commanding of the 17 Mountain Division, K.V.S. Lalotra, represented the army at the funeral. Giving a fillip to the local folklore, a rainbow appeared in the sky when the Kazi’s body was subjected to the flames.“It happens rarely, when spiritual leaders or great people die,” said Sonam Tshering, a monk.
Chief minister Mr Pawan Chamling and Assembly speaker Mr DN Thakarpa were present at the ceremony along with other ministers and dignitariesled by chief secretary N.D. Chingapa were present. The General officer commanding of the 17 Mountain Division, K.V.S. Lalotra, represented the army at the funeral. Giving a fillip to the local folklore, a rainbow appeared in the sky when the Kazi’s body was subjected to the flames.“It happens rarely, when spiritual leaders or great people die,” said Sonam Tshering, a monk. 