Govt declares seven-day state mourning

The Union government declared a seven-day state mourning in the country as a mark of respect to former president R Venkataraman who passed away here on Tuesday afternoon.

There will no official entertainment and flags will fly at half-mast in all government buildings during the period.

The Union Cabinet, which met soon after Venkataraman's death, decided to cancel the Beating Retreat ceremony and PM's NCC Rally, the two programmes held annually as part of the Republic Day celebrations.

The Cabinet, whose meeting was presided over by external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee, also decided to accord a state funeral to the late president.