Maharashtra Govt announces public holiday on February 7

In order to pay tribute to the India's Nightingale and veteran Bollywood singer Lata Mangeshkar, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra government has declared a public holiday on February 7 to mourn her demise.

An official statement from the CMO mentioned that a two-day "state mourning" will be observed on the demise of legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar. 

Moreover, the notification issued in this regard states that Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar passed away tragically on Sunday, February 6, 2022 and her demise has caused immense damage to the music and art world. In order to pay homage to this great singer, a public holiday is being declared in the state on Monday February 7, as a sad day by exercising the powers vested in the Government of Maharashtra under Section 25 of the Parakramya Sanlekh Act, 1881 (Act 26 of 1981).

Meanwhile, the Centre had already declared a two-day national mourning soon after the death of Bharat Ratna-awardee who has mesmerised Indian audience for decades with her soulful voice.

During this period, the tricolour will fly at half-mast from February 6 to February 7 throughout India as a mark of respect for the music icon.

According to the reports, on Sunday, February 6, at 8.12 am Lata Mangeshkar passed away and her remains will be taken to Shivaji Park in order for people to pay their homage, claimed accounts. She was 92.

The funeral of legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar will be held on open ground in Mumbai's Shivaji Park, where her body will be kept for the public to pay tributes. Around 2,000 sq ft of the park's area has been barricaded for the funeral proceedings. Last rites with full state honours were performed on Sunday at 6:30 pm.

The site is about 100-metre away from Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray's memorial, on the west side of the Shivaji Park, located in Dadar area. 

While the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal has told PTI that they have arranged about 25 kg sandalwood for Mangeshkar's cremation along with other necessary things.

Taking it to Twitter, Prime Minister said that he will also visit Mumbai to pay last respects to Lata Didi. Moreover, expressing his condolences, he tweeted: "I consider it my honour that I have always received immense affection from Lata Didi. My interactions with her will remain unforgettable. I grieve with my fellow Indians on the passing away of Lata Didi. Spoke to her family and expressed condolences. Om Shanti."

It has also come to light that actor Amitabh Bachchan visited the singer's residence along with his daughter Shweta Bachchan Nanda. Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar, Anupam Kher, Urmila Matondkar and MNS chief Raj Thackeray also arrived at Lata Mangeshkar's residence.

Besides, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, took to Twitter on Sunday saying, "The country's pride and music world's Shirmor Swar Kokila Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar ji's demise is very sad. My heartfelt tribute to the holy soul. Her passing is an irreparable loss to the country. She was always an inspiration to all the music seekers."

देश की शान और संगीत जगत की शिरमोर स्वर कोकिला भारत रत्न लता मंगेशकर जी का निधन बहुत ही दुखद है। पुण्यात्मा को मेरी भावभीनी श्रद्धांजलि। उनका जाना देश के लिए अपूरणीय क्षति है। वे सभी संगीत साधकों के लिए सदैव प्रेरणा थी।

— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) February 6, 2022

For those unversed, Mangeshkar was admitted to Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital in the intensive care unit back on January 8 after testing positive for COVID-19. On Saturday, February 5, evening many notable personalities were seen visiting the hospital to enquire about the singer's health.

She dabbled into singing at the tender age of 13 and went on to record her first song in 1942. With a career spanning nearly seven decades, she had to her name more than 30,000 songs in diverse languages.