Haridwar, May 21 -- Former Uttarakhand chief minister Major General (Retd) Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri was cremated with full state honours at the Kharkhari crematorium in Haridwar on Wednesday, with senior political leaders, security personnel and a large number of people attending the funeral. Army and police personnel presented a guard of honour as the veteran leader was given a final farewell. Among those present were chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Union power minister Manohar Lal Khattar, former Maharashtra governor and former Uttarakhand chief minister Bhagat Singh Koshyari, former chief minister Vijay Bahuguna, former Union education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, former chief minister Tirath Singh Rawat, Union minister of state Ajay Tamta, Rajya Sabha MP Anil Baluni, and former Union minister Ajay Bhatt, along with several cabinet ministers, MLAs and saints. Paying tributes, Dhami said Khanduri's passing was an irreparable loss for both the state and the country. He said the former chief minister set an example of transparency and discipline during his tenure in the Army, the Union government and the state government, adding that his guidance would always be remembered. Union power minister Manohar Lal Khattar described Khanduri's life as a symbol of simplicity, discipline and honesty. He said the former chief minister carried out every responsibility, whether as an Army officer, Union minister or chief minister, with dedication and his contributions to good governance and institutional reforms would continue to inspire future generations. The state government declared a public holiday on Wednesday and announced three-day state mourning from May 19 to May 21....