U'khand minister Rakesh cremated with full state honours

Uttarakhand Minister Surendra Rakesh, who died after battling with cancer for over a year, was today cremated with full state honours at Bhagwanpur in Haridwar district.
Admitted to a hospital in Gurgaon since October 14 last year, 48-year-old Rakesh breathed his last at 9.30 AM yesterday.
Chief Minister Harish Rawat, state Cabinet ministers Indira Hridayesh, Yashpal Arya, Prasad Naithani were among several leaders who attended the funeral and paid their last respects.
Rakesh's son Abhishek performed the last rites.
A three-day state mourning has been declared in Uttarakhand following the minister's death, the Chief Minister's media in-charge Surendra Kumar said.