The mortal remains of former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Major General (Retd) B C Khanduri were cremated with full state honours in Kotdwar on Saturday. The veteran politician, who served as the state's chief minister twice, passed away at the age of 86 after a prolonged illness.
Cremation Ceremony
The cremation took place at the Bada Khan ground in Kotdwar, where a large number of people, including political leaders, officials, and supporters, gathered to pay their last respects. The body was draped in the national flag and a guard of honour was presented by the Uttarakhand Police. The ceremony was conducted as per military traditions, given Khanduri's background as a former army officer.
Leaders Pay Tribute
Several prominent leaders attended the funeral, including Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, former Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, and state BJP president Madan Kaushik. They laid wreaths and offered condolences to the family. In a statement, Chief Minister Dhami described Khanduri as a visionary leader who contributed significantly to the development of Uttarakhand.
Khanduri was born on October 18, 1934, in Kotdwar. He had a distinguished military career, retiring as a Major General from the Indian Army. He entered politics and became a key figure in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He served as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand from 2007 to 2009 and again from 2011 to 2012. He was also a member of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
Legacy
Khanduri was known for his integrity and discipline. He initiated several infrastructure projects in Uttarakhand, including the expansion of roads and the development of the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit. His tenure also saw the implementation of strict anti-corruption measures. The state government has declared a three-day mourning period as a mark of respect.
The funeral procession started from his residence in Kotdwar and passed through various parts of the town, with people lining the streets to bid farewell. His son, Manish Khanduri, lit the funeral pyre. The ashes will be immersed in the Ganges at Haridwar on Sunday.
