Former Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, who passed away at a Jaipur hospital on Saturday, will be cremated today. The cremation will take place at 10 am in Jaipur with full state honours. A large number of dignitaries including Former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and Vice President Mohd. Hamid Ansari will attend the cremation. <br/> <br/>The President and the Prime Minister led the nation in mourning the demise of Shekhawat saying he was one of the tallest leaders who carved out a sterling career in public service. <br/> <br/>In her condolence message, President Pratibha Patil, who contested against Shekhawat in the 2007 Presidential polls, said, Shekhawat was a personality who deeply understood the concerns and aspirations of the poorest of the poor.<br/> <br/>Dr Manmohan Singh said, it is a tribute to Shekhawat's leadership qualities that he overcame the disadvantages of his early life to carve out a sterling career in public service. The Prime Minister said Shekawat was one of the tallest leaders that Rajasthan has produced.<br/> <br/>Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee said his former party colleague's death was an end of an era in Indian politics. He said, Shekhawat's journey from a police personnel to Vice President of India was reflective of his hard work and determination. <br/> <br/>Vice President Hamid Ansari, who succeeded Shekhawat, said the late leader occupied with distinction the office of the Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.<br/> <br/>BJP Parliamentary Party Chairman L K Advani recalled how Shekhawat stood by the then Bharatiya Jan Sangh in supporting a Rajasthan government legislation for abolishing "jagirdari" system.<br/> <br/>Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who had earlier visited the SMS hospital to meet the ailing leader, said Shekhawat was one of the rare politicians who had a unique identity.<br/> <br/>The Rajasthan Cabinet held an emergency meeting to mourn his death and declared a three-day state mourning.<br/>