(Image source from: India declares 5-day mourning for Mandela})

As mourners gather on the streets of South Africa to condole the passing away of the man who ended apartheid and brought them freedom, condolers across the globe grieve the demise of an extraordinary leader, a hero.

While US has announced a 12-day state memorial, India Government announced a five-day state mourning as a tribute to Nelson Mandela.

The decision came through at a special meeting of the Union Cabinet, which condoled the death of the anti-apartheid icon.

“Mandela was the tallest leader of not only his generation but possibly this entire paradigm. The role that he personally played in dismantling the apartheid is something exemplary,” Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said after the meeting.

A prisoner of for over 20 years, the South African leader played a crucial role in giving a moral leadership to the world, he said.

The entire nation is one with the South African people in condoling his sad demise.

AW: Suchorita Dutta Choudhury