From Union ministers to common man: Hundreds gather in Rajkot to bid final farewell to Rupani

Hundreds of people lined up on the roads of Rajkot on Monday, as the mortal remains of former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani reached his home town for his final rites. As people thronged the city roads with tearful eyes, offering floral tributes and chanting slogans hailing 'Vijaybhai', as he was fondly called, the family of the former CM was also joined by Union ministers Amit Shah and C R Paatil, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and Governor Acharya Devvrat among many other party leaders.
Rupani, one of the passengers who died in the plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, was traveling to London to join his daughter and other family members.
Earlier in the day, wrapped in the Tricolour, Rupani's mortal remains were handed over to his family at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital with state honours. Rupani's body was also accorded a Guard of Honour. On the occasion, CM Bhupendra Patel and ministers of his cabinet in the state government too remained present to offer tributes to Rupani.
The handing over of the mortal remains happened after the DNA samples of Rupani's family members matched with his mortal remains Sunday.
Following the identification of Rupani's body, the Gujarat government observed a day's official mourning Monday.
Rupani's wife Anjaliben, his daughter Radhika, son Rushabh and other family members were handed over the mortal remains as all of them broke down while paying tributes to him.
Subsequently, Rupani's mortal remains were taken to Rajkot by air. In Rajkot, the body was taken to his residence in a vehicle as people thronged the city roads to pay their last respect to the former CM. By late evening, as the funeral procession was carried out, Rajkot city witnessed heavy rains. However, people were seen braving the weather to pay tributes to their beloved leader.
Rupani's final rites were performed at Ramnath Para cermatorium in the city around 9 pm.
Three prayer meetings have been organised in Rajkot and Gandhinagar from Tuesday to pray tributes to Rupani. The first prayer meeting will be held at Race Course Maidan of Rajkot on Tuesday. On Thursday, a prayer meeting will be held at the Hall of Exhibition Centre of Helipad Ground in Gandhinagar.
The third prayer meeting will be held, on Friday, by Gujarat BJP at its state headquarters Shree Kamalam in Gandhinagar. Rupani is also a former Gujarat BJP president.

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