By IANS
New Delhi : President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Sunday condoled the death of L.N. Singhvi, saying the nation had lost a noted constitutional expert and diplomat.
“In the passing away of Dr. Singhvi, the nation has lost a prominent constitutional expert, eminent jurist, renowned scholar, able parliamentarian and distinguished diplomat,” the president said in her condolence message to Singhvi’s wife Kamla Singhvi.
Singhvi, India’s longest serving high commissioner to Britain, died in a Delhi hospital Saturday after a brief illness.
“I am deeply grieved to learn about the sad demise of Dr. L.M. Singhvi, whom I had known personally for many years,” the vice president said in his condolence message.
“He was a distinguished jurist, an eminent parliamentarian and a very successful high commissioner to the United Kingdom.
“A man of great vision, Dr. Singhvi made great contributions to national life through his writings and association with various cultural institutions.
“I convey my heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved family and to the wide circle of his admirers and friends,” Ansari added.
Singhvi was one of the most distinguished jurists and constitutional experts in the country, the prime minister said.
In a condolence message to Singhvi’s son Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Manmohan Singh said: “He was one of our most distinguished jurists, constitutional experts and legal minds. Most importantly, he was a great scholar who had deep understanding of our ethos, our culture and our civilisational values.”
The prime minister said the former Rajya Sabha member had proved to be a highly regarded diplomat and MP.
“His absence will be deeply felt in the world of public affairs. I hope you will face this tragedy with forbearance and courage. I am sure you will take your father’s good work forward,” the prime minister said in his message to Abhishek Manu Singhvi, also a Rajya Sabha MP.
“I was deeply grieved to hear of the shocking news of your father’s passing away. Please accept my heartfelt condolences and convey to all members of your family our sentiments,” Manmohan Singh added.
The vice president and the prime minister visited Singhvi’s residence at Niti Bagh in South Delhi to pay their last respects to him. He was cremated at the Lodhi Road crematorium.