Wednesday, May 25 2005 16:28 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The President, the Vice President and the Prime Minister today (May 25, 2005) led the nation in condoling the death of versatile actor and Union Sports Minister Sunil Dutt.

In a condolence message to his son Sanjay Dutt from St Petersburg, where he is on a State visit, President A P J Abdul Kalam, in a condolence message to Sanjay Dutt, said that Sunil Dutt had made significant contributions to the fields of art and public life and he was "shocked to learn about the sudden and untimely demise of your father. May his soul rest in peace."

"Kindly accept my heartfelt condolences and convey them to the rest of the members of your family," he said in the message from St Petersburg.

"I pray to the Almighty to give you and other members of your family the courage and strength to bear this irreparable loss," he added.

Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat expressed his heart-felt grief over the sudden demise of the veteran actor, parliamentarian, philanthropist, social worker and Union Minister.

Describing him as a "champion of peace and brotherhood", he said that Dutt was a multi-faceted personality who excelled in every field.

The Union Cabinet, at its emergency meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, condoled Dutt's death and declared a day's national mourning today (May 25, 2005).

Singh has left for Mumbai to attend Dutt's funeral. Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who is also attending the funeral, described Dutt as "a special human being".