5-day state mourning as a mark of respect to Mandela

, Dec 8: The government today announced a five-day state mourning as a mark of respect to

.

A decision to this effect was taken at a special meeting of the Union Cabinet, which condoled the death of the
anti-apartheid icon.

'Mandela was the tallest leader of not only his generation but possibly this entire paradigm. The role that he personally
played in dismantling the apartheid is something exemplary,' Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said after
the meeting.

A prisoner of conscience for over 20 years, the South African leader played an extremely vital role in giving a
moral leadership to the world, he said.

'The entire nation is one with the South African people in condoling his sad demise.

'The Cabinet met today and passed a resolution condoling the death of Dr Nelson Mandela and it has been decided that
there would be five days' state mourning...,' he said.

PTI