Was Shibu Soren Honoured with a Grand Farewell in His Hometown?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Shibu Soren was a pivotal figure in the Jharkhand movement.
- His funeral drew thousands, reflecting his impact on the community.
- Full state honors were observed during his last rites.
- Emotional tributes were paid by political leaders and citizens alike.
- The government declared a three-day mourning period in his honor.
Ranchi, Aug 5 (NationPress) A solemn atmosphere enveloped Nemra village on Tuesday evening as the flames of the funeral pyre rose against a darkening sky, marking the final farewell of Jharkhand movement pioneer and former Chief Minister Shibu Soren. His mortal remains were reverently entrusted to the five elements at 5:15 p.m., accompanied by full state honours.
In a deeply emotional moment, his son and the current Chief Minister, Hemant Soren, ignited the pyre, leaving both him and his brother, Basant Soren, profoundly impacted by grief.
As the funeral procession arrived at the cremation ground, heavy rain began to fall, yet not a single person wavered. Thousands stood drenched, chanting, “Veer Shibu Soren Amar Rahe”, as a final tribute to a man who dedicated his life to the land and people of Jharkhand.
With tears mingling with rain, his mortal remains, wrapped in the tricolour, were placed on the pyre. The crowd, many having traveled great distances, stood in silence, their eyes filled with sorrow.
There was hardly any space to stand as mourners lined both sides of the road leading to the ghat, paying their respects to Dishom Guru, as he was affectionately known.
Earlier in the day, his last journey commenced from his residence in Morhabadi, Ranchi, at 10:45 a.m. The procession made its initial stop at the Jharkhand Assembly, where lawmakers, friends, and countless admirers offered their respects.
From Monday evening until Tuesday morning, crowds gathered to catch one last glimpse of their cherished leader.
A ceremonial guard of honour was provided by the armed forces before Soren's body was transported to Nemra, his native village.
As the casket draped in the tricolour arrived, the atmosphere resonated with traditional drums and heartfelt slogans.
The funeral was graced by several political figures from various parties, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Union Minister Jual Oram, Derek O'Brien from Trinamool Congress, Sanjay Singh from AAP, and Pappu Yadav, Purnea MP.
Pappu Yadav described Soren as a “symbol of relentless struggle” and called for the highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, to be awarded to him.
Sanjay Singh stated that Soren's passing represented an “irreparable loss not just for Jharkhand, but for the entire nation”.
Shibu Soren, aged 81, passed away on Monday morning at a hospital in Delhi after suffering from a prolonged illness.
In his honour, the state government has declared a three-day mourning period, during which educational institutions and government offices will remain closed.