Former Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral was cremated with full state honours at the Smirti Sthal in New Delhi Saturday afternoon.
He was given a 21-gun salute and guards reversed arms as the funeral pyre was lit by his son Naresh Gujral, Rajya Sabha MP, at 3.25 pm.
The national flag flew at half mast throughout India with the Government declaring a 7 day mourning as a mark of respect to the departed leader.
President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice-President Mohammed Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi laid wreaths at the funeral pyre before his mortal remains were consigned to the flames.
Union Ministers including A K Antony and Sushil Kumar Shinde, BJP leaders L.K. Advani and Arun Jaitley, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupender Singh Hooda and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, INLD chief Om Prakash Chautala and LJP leader Ramvilas Paswan and diplomats were also present.
Earlier, his body was carried on florally decorated gun carriage from his official residence at Janpath in New Delhi to Smirti Sthal.
In his condolence message, Dr.Manmohan Singh said in the sad demise of Gujral, the country has lost a freedom fighter, a great patriot and a great scholar statesman.
Known for 'Gujral Doctrine' of five principles for maintaining good neighbourly relations, his death was also condoled by leaders of the countries of the region.
Pakistan Prime Minister Raja Parvez Ashraf said, Gujral had played an admirable role for bringing the two countries closer.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, described Gujral as a true friend of her country.
She recalled the important role Gujral played in the signing of the Ganges treaty between Dhaka and New Delhi.
President Mahinda Rajapakshe of Sri Lanka said his nation will always remember with gratitude, I.K. Gujral’s contribution towards strengthening India-Sri Lanka relations and regional cooperation.
He said Gujral's empathy with the people of South Asia made him a much loved leader of the region.
The Punjab and Rajasthan governments have also declared a seven-day state mourning to pay tribute to former prime minister I K Gujral.
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Saturday cancelled all his pre-scheduled public functions across the state till December 6.
Rajasthan Cabinet at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot passed a resolution expressing grief over the death of Gujral last evening.
Andhra Pradesh Assembly today mourned the death of former Prime Minister I K Gujral. The Assembly passed a condolence motion soon after it met in the morning conveying his family members its profound grief and sorrow soon.
Speaker Manohar recalled the services rendered by Gujral who strived for better relations with several countries as the Prime Minister and also as External Affairs Minister.
The house has observed silence for few minutes and adjourned for some time as a mark of respect to the departed leader.
