Atal Bihari Vajpayee passes away, Holiday for all central offices across India tomorrow, schools in these states:

Atal Bihari Vajpayee no more, Holiday for all central offices across India tomorrow, schools in these states:

Former Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihar Vajpayee is no more. Following his death, a state wide holiday has been declared in Delhi by Delhi Government. Central Government has announced 7 day state mourning.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee passes away, Holiday Declared

New Delhi: Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee breathed his last today at 5:05 pm, August 16, 2018. With the news of his death, condolences and prayers have started to come in. Delhi Government has asked for closure of schools and colleges for tomorrow in his memory. On the occasion, the schools would remain closed for the day, August 17, 2018, tomorrow in Delhi. The protocol for statewide mourning announced, the schools and colleges along with all the government offices may remain closed tomorrow.

Live Update @ 20:05: State mourning for seven days till 22 August has been declared by Central Government. A State Funeral would be accorded to Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Smriti Sthal, New Delhi. For the occasion, a Half day holiday in the afternoon of  day of funeral in all Central government offices and CPSUs across the country, and Delhi government offices in NCT of Delhi have been announced. 

Live Updates: @ 20:01: Haryana Chief Minister, Shri Manohar Lal Khattar has also declared holiday in Haryana as a mark of respect. Also, all central offices would remain closed tomorrow for half day during the funeral. 

Live Updates: @ 19:52: State Holiday has been announced in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh as a mark of respect for Atal Bihar Vajpayee. more updates awaited.

Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia has announced a statewide holiday. In his tweet, he confirmed that schools and Colleges, as well as Government Offices in Delhi, would remain closed tomorrow as a mark of respect. Central Government has also declared a State Mourning for 7 days from August 16 to August 22. During the period of mourning, the National Flag would fly at half mast. 

Pending confirmation, some reports are suggesting that a State holiday has also been announced for Uttar Pradesh. The confirmation is awaited and would be updated shortly. 

One of the most iconic prime ministers of the country, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a leader well respected and loved by many. From his poems to his famous speech at UN to the Pokhran Tests, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a leader loved and respected across parties. As a homage to the visionary and the leader, the schools and colleges would be kept closed tomorrow.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the 10th Prime Minister of the country, though his first stint was shortlived as the coalition party was unable to gather the required numbers for the majority. He again came to power in 1998 and then again in 1999. It was under his leadership that India got the distinguished honour of being a nuclear state.

An illustrious leader and an excellent orator, Atal Bihar Vajpayee's speech in Hindi at the UN created ripples. Representing India as the Minister of External Affairs, Atal Bihar Vajpayee stepped up and gave the speech in Hindi, drawing the attention of the world, raising the pride of the country on the international podium.