MUMBAI, India (Sun, Nov. 18) – Reported by
madn3wz
 |
| Bal Thackeray Funeral -- Uddhav Thackeray Lit the Pyre |
Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray’s final
rites have been offered at Shivaji Park, where he launched the Shiv Sena forty
six years ago at a colossal gathering on Dussehra. More than 200,000 people,
including several big names, have gathered at the extensive ground as Mr
Thackeray was consigned to the flames.
Lakhs of Shiv Sainiks and supporters break down as son Uddhav Thackeray lit the pyre.
At 9:00 AM in the morning Thackeray's body was brought out of
his house in suburban Bandra, wrapped in the tricolor, for funeral procession.
His son, Uddhav, broke down just before the funeral procession started. A glass
box carrying the 86-year-old Sena patriarch's body was then loaded onto a
flower bedecked truck.
The Shiv Sena has taken permission to perform his
last rites at the park at 6 pm; he will also be given full state honours. This
is the first funeral to be held at Shivaji Park; the ground had special
significance for Bal Thackeray, who launched his political party here in 1966.
It was the venue for many of his rallies over the years, including his last
public address on Dussehra this year, when he spoke to the crowd through a
recorded video message.
The Shiv Sena chief died on Saturday afternoon,
after a prolonged illness at the age of 86. Thackeray, who was critically ill since
last Wednesday, was declared dead by Dr Jaleel Parkar who was treating him. The
Sena chief had been suffering from respiratory problems and pancreatic disease.
Report Tags: Bal Thackeray, Bal Thackeray Funeral, Uddhav Thackeray, Video, Youtube
