Sheila Dikshit cremated with state honors in Delhi

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Scores of people turned up to pay homage to former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit as her body was brought to the Congress headquarters on Sunday. Three-time Delhi Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Sheila Dikshit passed away on Saturday in New Delhi. Sheila Dikshit had been ill for a long time and was admitted to the hospital on Saturday morning. According to the hospital, she passed away at 3.55 pm following a cardiac arrest, at the age of 81 years. 

Amid chaotic scenes, three-time Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit was cremated at Nigambodh Ghat in Delhi on Sunday as VIPs and thousands of commoners watched, a day after the veteran Congress leader suffered cardiac arrest and died.

HIGHLIGHTS

04:35 pm: Former Delhi Chief Minister and Congress leader Sheila Dikshit cremated with state honours in Delhi's Nigambodh Ghat.

03:35 pm: Home Minister Amit Shah, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Congress leader Ahmed Patel present for Sheila Dikshit's last rites

03:20 pm: Sheila Dikshit's mortal remains reach Nigambodh Ghat, prayers of last rites begin

02:37 pm: Mortal remains of former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit being taken to Delhi Pradesh Congress office

02:14 pm: Preparations are underway at Nigam Bodh Ghat for Sheila Dikshit's funeral

01:57 pm: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath pays tribute to former Delhi CM and senior Congress leader Sheila Dikshit

01:34 pm: She was a great support for me. She became almost like an elder sister and a friend. This is a big loss for the Congress party. I will always remember her, says UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on the demise of former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit

12:59 pm: Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi pays tribute to former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit

12:40 pm: Sonia Gandhi pays tribute to Sheila Dikshit at Congress headquarters

12:32 pm: Mortal remains of former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit brought to Congress headquarters

12:01 pm: Mortal remains of Sheila Dikshit being taken to Congress headquarters in New Delhi 

11:46 am: Mortal remains of former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit outside her residence, to be taken to Congress Headquarters

11:14 am: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj pays homage to former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit at her residence

10:55 am: Senior BJP leader LK Advani pays tributes to former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit

According to the doctors at Escorts Fortis, Sheila Dikshit had suffered a cardiac arrest at 3:15 pm and was put on a ventilator at. She passed away peacefully at 3:55 pm, they said. 

Here is the full text of text from Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Okhla, New Delhi

"Mrs Sheila Dixit was brought in the morning on July 20, 2019 to Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Okhla, New Delhi, in a critical condition with cardiac arrest. A multi-disciplinary team of doctors, led by Dr Ashok Seth, Chairman, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, carried out the advanced resuscitative measures. Her condition stabilised temporarily. However, she had another cardiac arrest and despite all the resuscitative efforts, passed away at 3:55 pm on July 20, 2019."

The senior-most Congress leader in Delhi unit, Sheila Dikshit had served as the chief minister of Delhi for 15 years. She was also very close to UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi. 

Meanwhile, a two-day state mourning was announced by Delhi government over the passing away of Sheila Dikshit. 

"Delhi government has decided to observe a two-day state mourning as a mark of respect in the memory of former Chief Minister and veteran leader Sheila Dikshit. She will be accorded a state funeral," Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had tweeted.

Also Read | Sheila Dikshit was a beloved daughter of Congress: Rahul Gandhi

Also Read | Three-time Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit dead at 81; condolences pour in

Video: Former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit passes away at 81, to be accorded state funeral