Thousands converge at Abu to attend Dadiji Prakashmani's funeral

Palanpur, Gujarat, Aug 26 (UNI) Thousands of followers continued to throng Abu today to attend the funeral of Rajyogini Dadi Prakashmani, the chief administrative head of Prajapati Brahmakumari Ishwarya Vishwa Vidhyalaya.

Eighty-seven-year-old Dadiji died at Shantiwan in Abu yesterday after a brief illness.

According to the spokesman of Brahmakumari organisation B K Karuna, Dadiji would be cremated at Shantivan, the headquarters of the sect.

She was admitted to Sterling Hospital in Ahmedabad due to her deteriorating health and brought back to Abu on Tuesday after she had slipped into coma.

''Dadiji was associated with the Brahmakumari organisation since 14 years of her age. Under her leadership, the Brahmakumari movement gathered momentum and millions of people across the world joined the sect,'' he said.

''Apart from the President of India Pratibha Patil, several political and religious leaders, statesmen, bureaucrats and judges have expressed grief and condoled the demise of Dadiji Prakashmani as a great loss to the country and mankind,'' he added.

''Mrs Patil has described Dadiji as one of the leading torch bearers of India and a great spiritual force and said that she would be remembered for her distinct contribution to the welfare of society at large,'' Mr Khurana said.

''Gujarat Governor Naval Kishore Sharma and Chief Minister Narendra Modi have expressed their condolences over Dadiji's demise.

Mr Modi will attend Dadi's last rites at the sect's Abu premises tomorrow,'' he said.

''Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajashekhara Reddy expressed shock and grief at the death of Dadiji and said her invaluable contribution would long be remembered by the people of all walks of life,'' he said.

''Dadiji's body was kept in the Diamond hall of the premises today for the last darshan to her followers. Earlier in the day, a procession of the body was taken through Mount Abu,'' he said.

The last rites are scheduled to be performed inside the Shantiwan premises tomorrow at 1030 hrs in the morning, in which over 20,000 followers are expected to attend.

UNI