Nation mourns the loss of 'Gentle Giant' Vajpayee

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed away on Thursday evening leaving the nation with a void and a sense of tremendous loss.

Tata Trust chairman Ratan Tata expressed his grief and said, "All of us who knew Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee are saddened to hear of his passing away. He was a great leader with a great sense of compassion and humour. He will be remembered fondly by a vast number of us."

Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar also took to Twitter to express her grief and wrote, "Rishitulya purva pradhan mantri Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji ke swargwas ki vaarta sunke mujhe aise laga jaise mere sar par pahaad toota hai, kyo ki main unko pita samaan maanti thi aur unhone mujhe apni beti banaaya tha. Mujhe wo itne priya the ki main unko dadda kehke bulaati thi.Aaj mujhe waisa dukh hua hai jaise mere pita ji ke swargwas ke samay hua tha. Ishwar unki aatma ko shanti de."

("The news of demise of the saint-like former Prime Minister and recipient of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee has saddened me. He was a father-like figure to me and he considered me his daughter. He was really close to me and I used to refer to him as 'dadda'. I am as grieved as I was when my father passed away. May his soul rest in peace.")

Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan took to the micro-blogging website to pay homage to the former Prime Minister Vajpayee and referred to him as a great leader, brilliant poet, an amazing speaker and spokesperson.

He wrote, "Atal Bihari Vajpai (1924 - 2018 ) An admirer of my Father's works and vice versa ; gentle nature, strong fiery in his speeches"

Cricket-legend Sachin Tendulkar took to Twitter to write, "India is at a great loss today. Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji's contributions to our nation have been innumerable. Thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones."

Bollywood actor Annu Kapoor while talking to media referred to Vajpayee as the 'son of the Indian Motherland'.

"His memories will live forever and his life was an inspiration," he said.

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed away on Thursday at All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), following a prolonged illness, at the age of 93.