Maharashtra declared a public holiday on February 7 in honour of Lata Mangeshkar's demise

The Maharashtra Government proclaimed a public holiday for tomorrow (February 7) to commemorate Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar's death, according to the Chief Minister's Office. The government gazette notification stated, "To pay tribute to the great singer, a public holiday will be declared in the state on Monday, February 7th, using the powers vested in the Government of Maharashtra under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881 (Act 26 of 1981")," according to the government gazette notification. 

 

The statement by the state administration came only hours after the Centre declared a two-day national mourning period in honour of Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar. The National Flag will be flown at half-mast for two days as a show of respect. West Bengal has similarly declared Monday as a half-day vacation. Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, also declared that for the following 15 days, Lata Mangeshkar's songs will be played at every public location, government installation, and traffic light in the state.

 

On Sunday, Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar, who enchanted millions with her exquisite voice, was cremated in Mumbai's historic Shivaji Park with full state honours. The renowned vocalist died at the age of 92. She was brought to the hospital on January 8 after contracting Covid and pneumonia, and she died the next morning.

 

The tricolour will be flown at half-mast from February 6 to 7 as the nation mourns her death. During this time, there will be no official entertainment. As the funeral procession made its way from her apartment in South Mumbai to Shivaji Park in Dadar on Sunday evening, her coffin was draped in tricolour and placed atop the hearse covered in white flowers with a large portrait of hers.

 

As the music queen completed her final voyage, a vast crowd thronged the roadways through which the cortege travelled. A ceremonial salute was given by police and military troops, and the national hymn was played by a band. The national flag, in which the body was draped, was handed over to her family just before the funeral rites.

 

 

Image Courtesy: Twitter @Salmanaliidol