Thousands throng to pay last respects to Dr. Raj

Bangalore, Apr 13: The last rites of thespian Rajkumar, the doyen of Kannada film industry, will be conducted with state honours in the premises of the state-owned Kanteerava studios this evening.

According to official sources the family members of Rajkumar, have agreed to the suggestion of the state government to conduct the last rites at the public place at Kanteerava Studios situated at the Bangalore-Pune national highway in the city.

The mortal remains of the actor was kept in the sprawling Kanteerava Stadium for public view. Police had a hectic time in controlling the mob which thronged the stadium to have a last glimpse of their beloved actor. Police lobbed tear gas on many an occasion frequently to quell the mob to maintain law and order.

Among the dignitories who paid their tributes to the departed soul included Karnataka chief justice Joseph ceriac, Karnataka Governor T N Chaturvedi, ace India leg spinner Anil Kumble, various film personalities, industrialists, legislators and others. People from all walks of life even from far-off places also thronged the stadium to pay their last respects.

Elaborate security arrangements were made to enable the lakhs of people coming to city to pay their tributes to the departed idol.

Police said the body would be kept at the Kanteerava Stadium till noon and later would be taken in a decorated vehicle to the Kanteerava Studios where the last rites would be conducted.

Various film personalities including Rajanikanth had already arrived in the city to pay their last respect to the icon of the Kannada film industry.

Maharashtra Governor S M Krishna and Chief Minister Vilas Rao Deshmukh had also arrived to pay their last respect to Rajkumar and are also expected to present at the time of the state funeral.

An eerie silence was observed in the Information Technology capital of the country as shops, commercial establishments, cinema halls, petrol pump stations and banks downed their shutters. The state government declared state holiday today and all the schools and colleges also did not function as a mark of respect to the departed soul.

UNI