The whole state of Karnataka is in sorrow as it struggles to come to terms with the untimely and terrible death of Puneeth Rajkumar, one of its most adored people. Top authorities have been ensuring that the events go ahead without a hitch, and they have been pleading with the general people and the many millions of spectators to preserve decorum during these tough times.
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Puneeth Rajkumar's final rites would be performed upon the return of his daughter, Vanditha, from the United States of America, according to a leading daily. The rituals will be held with full government honours on Saturday, directly next to the grave of Puneeth's late father, Dr. Rajkumar, according to Karnataka's revenue minister, R. Ashok as per other sources.
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Needless to say, the news of his death has sent shockwaves throughout the country, with condolences flooding in from all corners. The digital sphere has been flooded with expressions of grief from P.M. Modi to Puneeth Rajkumar's close associates and colleagues.
Puneeth's older brother Raghavendra Rajkumar was reported as stating to a leading daily: "He got the pacemaker for me. He brought me back from the hospital safely. But I could not bring him back. He went to see my parents". Ashwini Rajkumar, Puneeth Rajkumar's wife, has been inconsolable since the tragedy and is currently unable to talk.
The mortal remains of Puneeth Rajkumar were first conveyed to his house, and then to the Kantheerava stadium, where the people could pay their respects. The government is making sure that all of the arrangements are in position so that situations like the one that happened after Dr. Rajkumar's death, when seven people were shot dead in the large-scale rioting that erupted at the time should not occur again.