As per his wish, the wordings — “The person who had worked without rest is resting here” — was sculpted on the casket.
Party supporters pay last respect to DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi at Rajaji Hall in Chennai on August 8, 2018. (Photo: IANS)
Amid heart-rending scenes of people mourning their beloved leader’s death, late DMK president M Karunanidhi’s last journey began on Wednesday with thousands of people turning up to pay their last respects.
Slogans like ‘Kalaignar pugazh vazhga vazhgavey’ (long live the glory of Karunanidhi) rented the air as tri-service personnel lifted the glass casket containing Karunanidhi’s mortal remains and marched to the military hearse decked up to carry the departed leader to the burial ground.
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Amid cries of people hailing their “Thalaivar” (leader), the grieving family members, including the late leader’s sons M K Stalin and Tamizharasu, followed the military personnel.
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The hearse proceeded to cover a distance of 1.7 km to reach the Marina beach from Rajaji Hall as thousands of people lined up on the roads to catch a last glimpse of the departed leader.
READ | How M Karunanidhi became Kalaignar | Life and time of the DMK patriarch
Many others, sporting black shirts, waved DMK’s red-and-black flags and flashed pictures of Karunanidhi as they followed the hearse on his last journey.
The late DMK leader’s body was draped in the Tricolour with his trademark black glasses, yellow shawl, white shirt and dhoti on.
As per his wish, the wordings — “The person who had worked without rest is resting here” — was sculpted on the casket.
Earlier, a galaxy of political leaders led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid their last respects to the departed leader. The mortal remains of Karunanidhi will be lowered into the burial pit behind the samadhi of his mentor and DMK founder C N Annadurai at Marina beach with full state honours.
(With agency inputs)
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