New Delhi: The mortal remains of Vice President Krishan Kant were consigned to flames with full state honours on July 28 evening.

Amidst chanting of Vedic hymns, the pyre was lit by his son Rashmi Kant at Nighambodh Ghat on the banks of the Yamuna.

Among the dignitaries present to pay their homage to the departed leader were President A P J Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, leader of Opposition Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Ministers V P Singh, H D Deve Gowda, Chandrashekhar, Union Ministers and other senior political leaders.

The dignitaries laid wreath on the body of Kant.

Kant's 97-year-old mother, Satyawati, was seen weeping inconsolably.

Residents of his native village in Punjab arrived at the Nighambodh Ghat to pay respects to Kant, who died on July 27.

His body was brought in a gun carriage from his official residence, 6, Maulana Azad Road, in a procession led by general-officer-commanding, Delhi area.

The body was draped in tricolour with the personnel from the three services performing the role of pall-bearers.

Diplomats from various Embassies and High Commission had also gathered at the Nighambodh Ghat to pay their last respects.

Jawans of Rajputana Rilfes fired thrice in the air, reversed their arms and sounded the last post as many an eye welled up with tears as Rashmi Kant, the elder son of the late leader, lit the funeral pyre at 17:25 hours (IST).

Some relatives and friends broke down as the flames leapt up the skies and even VVIPs were seen controlling their emotions with difficulty.

Earlier, the body was taken to Parliament House, where the MPs paid their homage to the departed leader.

PTI