Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray declared a two-day national mourning in memory Lata Mangeshkar, widely considered one of the greatest and most influential singers from India. Mangeshkar passed away early on Sunday in Mumbai.
The national flag will fly at half-mast as a sign of National mourning, from February 6 to 7 as a mark of respect to Mangeshkar, who was a Bharat Ratna recipient. Her last rites will be performed with full state honours, Thackeray has announced.
News of Mangeshkar’s death triggered a national outpouring of grief. “On Lata Didi’s demise, I express my sorrow to all my fellow Indians and condolences to her family. Om Shanti”, tweeted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Lataji was admitted here and was being treated for COVID-19. She passed away due to complications arising out of the virus, due to multiple organ failure,” said N Santhanam, chief executive officer of Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital.
“She died after more than 28 days of hospitalisation post COVID-19, “said Dr. Pratit Samdani, who was treating Mangeshkar at Breach Candy.
Mangeshkar’s family planned to take her body to Prabhu Kunj, her residence, for two hours. From there, she will be taken to Shivaji Park for a public darshan before cremation. State honours will be arranged at Shivaji Park at 6:30 pm today for her last rites.
