Highlights at 2100 hrs

Following are the top stories at 2100 hrs:

DEL71 SWARAJ-LD OBIT Sushma Swaraj: extraordinary leader with many firsts

New Delhi: The last rites for Sushma Swaraj, the former foreign minister and a BJP stalwart, were conducted Wednesday to the sounds of ceremonial bugle and Vedic mantras, the widely different tunes emblematic of the woman herself who harmonised many different chords in her persona.

DEL76 SWARAJ-3RDLD CREMATION Swaraj cremated with full state honours

New Delhi: The mortal remains of former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj were consigned to flames on Wednesday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders, besides family, friends and admirers bid a tearful adieu to the political stalwart.

DEL65 ART370-VALLEY Srinagar: Concertina wire barricades, gun-toting security men, an eerie silence

Srinagar: An eerie silence prevails in the city with concertina wire barricades laid on deserted streets and police and armed forces personnel allowing civilians to move only after thorough checking even though there is no official curfew. By Sumir Kaul

DEL73 SWARAJ-GOODSAMARITAN From Geeta to Uzma, Sushma Swaraj was saviour for Indians in distress abroad

New Delhi: Sushma Swaraj's untiring efforts to ensure rescue of Indians stuck in a foreign land, often in distressed situations with little hope of returning to their homeland such as Uzma Ahmed and Catholic priest from Kerala father Tom Uzhunnalil, defined her tenure as the External Affairs Minister.

DEL79 PM-ADDRESS

PM likely to address nation on Thursday New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to address the nation on Thursday during which he is expected to explain government's decisions on abrogating special status to Jammu and Kashmir and splitting the state into two union territories, sources have said.

DEL69 DL-UNNAO-RAPE-AIIMS

Unnao rape victim, her lawyer continue to be critical, on life support: AIIMS New Delhi: The Unnao rape victim and her lawyer, admitted to AIIMS Trauma Centre here, remain critical and on advanced life support, hospital officials said on Wednesday.

DEL77 SONIA-LD SWARAJ

Shared warm personal relationship with her, feel her loss greatly: Sonia in letter to Swaraj's family New Delhi: Describing Sushma Swaraj as a great parliamentarian and a lady of "extraordinary gifts", Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday said she shared a warm personal relationship with her and felt her loss greatly.

DEL66 RAJDHANI-2NDLD MOLESTATION

Ticket examiner suspended, waiter taken off duty over molestation in Rajdhani Express New Delhi: Railways has suspended a train ticket examiner and taken a waiter off duty after a woman was allegedly molested by them on board the Delhi-Ranchi Rajdhani Express.

DEL61 JK-DOVAL

Doval visits south Kashmir; meets locals, policemen Jammu: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Wednesday undertook a whirlwind visit to the militancy-infested south Kashmir and assured the locals that their security is the government's responsibility. By Anil Bhatt

MDS11 KL-NUN-LD EXPULSION

Nun expelled from congregation for her 'lifestyle' Kochi: A Kerala nun who took part in a protest against former bishop of Jalandhar diocese in connection with a rape case has been expelled by the Franciscan Clarist

Congregation for 'failing to give a satisfactory explanation' for her lifestyle "in violation of the proper law of the FCC."

LEGAL

LGD22 SC-3RD LD AYODHYA Unshakeable faith of Hindus enough to prove Lord Ram born at Ayodhya's disputed site: SC told

New Delhi: A Hindu party asserted in the Supreme Court on Wednesday that the "unshakeable faith" of millions of believers is sufficient to prove that the entire Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid disputed site at Ayodhya was the birth place of Lord Ram.

FOREIGN

FGN38 3RDLDALL INDOPAK Pakistan expels Indian envoy; downgrades diplomatic ties

Islamabad: Pakistan on Wednesday expelled Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria, minutes after it decided to downgrade the diplomatic ties with India over what it called New Delhi's "unilateral and illegal" move to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. By Sajjad Hussain

FGN39 SWARAJ-2NDLD WORLDREAX World leaders condole Sushma Swaraj's demise, recall her contributions

Washington/Beijing: Leaders from the US, China, Bangladesh, Iran and Singapore condoled on Wednesday the demise of former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and recalled her important role in cementing India's relations with the world.

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