MR SHASTRI'S ASHES, PEOPLE LAYING FLOWERS, SHASTRI'S SON PRAYING, ASHES BEING COLLECTED. (NATURAL S.O.F.)




Initials JGS/V/BHH/K



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: MR HARI KISHAN, SON OF THE LATE INDIAN PRIME MINISTER LAL BAHADUR SHASTRI, COLLECTED HIS FATHER'S ASHES FROM THE FUNERAL PYRE YESTERDAY.

THE 24 HOUR CHANT OF HINDU HYMNS WHICH BEGAN AS MR SHASTRI'S FUNERAL PYURE WAS LIT ON WEDNESDAY, ENDED YESTERDAY AT NOON AS HIS ELDEST SON, MR HARI KISHAN, ARRIVED TO COLLECT HIS FATHER'S ASHES.

ASSISTED BY THE FAMILY PRIEST, MR KISHA, AND MR SHASTRI'S OTHER THREE SONS SPRINKLED MILK AND WATER ON THE EMBERS. AS THEY COLLECTED THE ASHES IN NINE COPPER URNS, PEOPLE BOWED THEIR HEADS AND WEPT. HALFWAY THROUGH THE CEREMONY THE THREE YOUNGER SONS HAD TO BE HELPED AWAY FROM THE PYRE, OVERCOME WITH GRIEF.

THE ASHES WERE LATER TAKEN TO THE SHASTRI RESIDENCE WHERE THEY WILL BE KEPT UNTIL THE CEREMONY OF SCATTERING THE ASHES WHICH IS EXPECTED TO TAKE PLACE ON JANUARY THE 21ST.