One of India’s tallest leaders, someone who was even respected by the opposition, Vajpayee Ji breathed his last at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) after a prolonged illness on Thursday.
As a mark of respect, India’s Chef de Mission for Asian Games 2018, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh confirmed that all medals won by Indian athletes at the quadrennial event will be dedicated to the former Prime Minister. “All the medals which will be won by the Indian athletes in Asian Games 2018 will be dedicated to the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee,” Singh said.
In addition, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) took to Twitter to share a photo of Indian athletes paying homage to the former Prime Minister in Jakarta.
#TeamIndia #athletes and officials pay their respects to #India’s former PM Late Sh. Atal Bihari Vajpayee at #Jakarta host city of #AsianGames2018. #SAI pic.twitter.com/iSEPdX65uv
— SAIMedia (@Media_SAI) August 17, 2018
Earlier today, Atal Ji was cremated with state honours and his daughter Namita Bhattacharya lit the funeral pyre. Several leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah, walked behind the gun carriage carrying the mortal remains.