Sea of humanity bids adieu to 'Thalaivar'

CHENNAI: Muthuvel Karunanidhi was laid to rest on the Marina beachfront as a sea of humanity flocked around to bid him a tearful farewell. The former chief minister was a school dropout and had left a significant mark on the state's public life over decades through his literary, cinematic and political achievements. The high and mighty of the country came down to pay their last respects to the leader. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and his Kerala, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh counterparts Pinarayi Vijayan, K Chandrasekhar Rao and N Chandrababu Naidu were in attendance. Karunanidhi was buried with full military honours with soldiers giving him a gun salute and buglars sounding the last post. The 94 year old had breathed his last at a hospital here after fighting for life for 11 days. His sone and heir apparent MK Stalin received the national flag wrapped around his father's body. He was seen crying inconsolably after touching his father's feet before the casket containing Karunanidhi's body was lowered into the grave. The leader's youngest daughter and Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi fondly caressed his head and cheek one last time.