AIIMS operates calmly, efficiently as momentous event unfolds

Even though a host of VIPs visited AIIMS to check on Atal Bihari Vajpayee amid heavy security, the sprawling campus of the premier hospital today functioned without disruption, barring minor glitches.

AIIMS buzzed with activity since 5 am as OB vans of TV news channels lined up outside the hospital to give regular updates about the former prime minister's health, before he died this evening.

Patients at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences were curious to know the reason behind the media frenzy, heavy police deployment and the heightened VIP movement there.

A few patients wondered whether the security personnel and policemen were deployed for the shooting of a Bollywood film.

The harried mediapersons, who faced these queries, were quick to clarify. One of them said, "There is no shooting happening. We are here to do our job as Atal ji's is critical."