ByQuaid Najmi

February 6, 2022 (IANS) Veteran singer Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar passed away at a private hospital after a 28-day-long prolonged battle with Covid-19, pneumonia and related issues, in Mumbai on Sunday morning. The legendary singer shall be accorded a state funeral on Sunday evening, officials said.

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari shared the sad news stunning the nation.

Gadkari confirmed that he had took a ‘darshan’ of Lata-Didi and recalled her legendary singing skills, her contributions to the world of music and the nation, as top leaders condoled her demise.

Lata’s mortal remains shall be taken home in Prabhukunj Building, near the Breach Candy Hospital around 12.30 pm and kept there for a couple of hours for people to pay their last respects.

Later, it will be shifted to the Shivaji Park where the public can catch a final glimpse of her from 4-6 pm.

Thereafter, around 6.30 pm she will be accorded a funeral with full state honours at the Dadar Crematorium adhering to all  Covid protocols, said officials.

Earlier today, a spokesperson for the hospital said Lata-Didi breathed her last at 8.12 am due to post-Covid multi-organ failure after 28 days in the hospital.

As the stunning news erupted at breakfast tables nationwide, Rashmi Thackeray, wife of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar, Raut, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and others rushed to the hospital a short while ago to meet and condole the bereaved Mangeshkar clan.

Top leaders starting from President R. N. Kovind, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Central and State ministers, besides other dignitaries and celebs from all walks of mourned the “end of an era” in Lata’s demise.