India declares state mourning on Sunday for Queen Elizabeth II

The Government of India has decalred one-day state mourning as a mark of respect to Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away at the Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Thursday at the age of 96.

The national flag will be flown at half-mast on Sunday throughout India and there will be no official entertainment programme on that day, a statement issued by the government said on Friday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted on Thursday after she passed away. "I had memorable meetings with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during my UK visits in 2015 and 2018. I will never forget her warmth and kindness. During one of the meetings she showed me the handkerchief Mahatma Gandhi gifted her on her wedding. I will always cherish that gesture," the tweet said.

See Tweet Here:

I had memorable meetings with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during my UK visits in 2015 and 2018. I will never forget her warmth and kindness. During one of the meetings she showed me the handkerchief Mahatma Gandhi gifted her on her wedding. I will always cherish that gesture. pic.twitter.com/3aACbxhLgC

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 8, 2022

Britain is observing 10-day state mourning for Queen Elizabeth II. Britain`s royal family will observe a period of mourning that will end on the seventh day after the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. The date of the funeral is yet to be decided.

President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, among others, have expressed condolences at the demise of Queen Elizabeth II. In their messages, they noted that she was a stalwart of our times; a compassionate personality and provided inspiring leadership to her nation and people.

The famed `dabbawala` (tiffin-carrier) community of Mumbai, meanwhile, mourned the passing away of the Queen on Friday. The Chairman of Nutan Mumbai Tiffin Box Suppliers Association Charitable Trust, Ulhas Muke, said the dabbawalas of Mumbai shared a close association with Britain`s royal family.

Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, also mourned the demise of Britain`s longest serving monarch who had been heir to the crown for 70 years.