India has declared a five day state mourning as a mark of respect to anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela. National flag will fly half-mast during mourning . During the mourning, the national flag will be flown at half mast from 6th to 10th December throughout the country and there will be no official entertainment.
A decision to this effect was taken at a special Cabinet meeting in New Delhi today. Mandela died at his home in Johannesburg in South Africa last night. He was 95. He was hospitalized in June this year with a recurring lung infection. Mandela led South Africa's transition from white-minority rule in the 1990s, after 27 years in prison.
The President Pranab Mukherjee while mourning the death of Nelson Mandela, said he was an icon of inspiration for humanity and a great friend of India. The President said, Mandela was a statesman, world leader and icon of inspiration for humanity.
The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said, a giant among men has passed away. Dr Singh said, this is as much India's loss as South Africa's and as he was a true Gandhian. He said, Mandela's life and work will remain a source of eternal inspiration for generations to come.
Both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned for the day today as a mark of respect to the memory of Nelson Mandela. As soon as the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha met for the day, members observed silence in honour of the departed leader. In the Lok Sabha, Speaker Meira Kumar was joined by leaders of all political parties paying tributes to Mandela describing him as an apostle of humanity.
In the Rajya Sabha, Chairman Mohammed Hamid Ansari described Mandela as one of the greatest personalities representing the best of human spirit and values.
At the White House, a solemn President Barack Obama called Mr. Mandela an influential, courageous, and profoundly good human being. Mr. Obama reflected on how President Mandela inspired him and said, a free South Africa at peace is Mr. Mandela's greatest legacy.
British Prime Minister David Cameron paid tribute to Mandela, saying a great light has gone out in the world. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hailed Mandela as a giant for justice who had inspired freedom movements the world over.
