Union Environment Minister Anil Dave cremated on Narmada's banks in MP

Hoshangabad : Union Environment Minister Anil Dave, who passed away on Thursday, has been cremated on the banks of Narmada river in Bandrabhan in Madhya Pradesh.

The cremation location was decided as per his will.

Draped in tricolour, Dave's last journey began from his "Nadi ke Ghar" residence in Bhopal to the banks of the Narmada for last rites.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, central ministers Uma Bharti, Anant Kumar and Harsh Vardhan, Khandwa MP Nandkumar Singh Chauhan, BJP General Secretary Kailash Vijaywargiya and senior RSS leaders were among those who paid tributes to the departed soul.

His younger brother Abhay Dave lit the funeral pyre.

Anil Dave had written his will in 2012 in which he had desired to be cremated in Bandrabhan. Also, he had made a request that no memorial should be made after his death instead people should rather plant a tree.

Bandrabhan is where the late minister used to organise the International River Festival every two years.

Dave's body was brought to Bhopal from Delhi in an Indian Air Force plane on Thursday.

(with IANS inputs)