who wanted to pay their respects. His body was handed over to SSKM Hospital, Kolkata for research on 19 January 2010 around 16:50 pm IST after a guard of honour at the nearby Moharkunja park (formerly, citizens' park). The hospital authority is considering preserving his brain. Reactions and tributes on his death Basu's death was reacted with grief across the country and in international. Many famous personalities bade their gratitude and condolences in social media and attended his funeral. Some of their statements are listed below: Former Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh reacted to his death, "He was a powerful regional voice in the national political scene and had proved to be one of the most ablest administrators and politicians of independent India." Former Home Minister and Finance Minister of India, P. Chidambaram stated that "He was a colossus who straddled India's political scene for many decades. Not only the leader of West Bengal, but of India. He was a great patriot, great democrat, great parliamentarian and great source of inspiration. He served the people of India to the best." Former INC president Sonia Gandhi reacted "Shri Jyoti Basu did not go gently into the good night - he fought bravely until his last breath, just as he did throughout his life. And what a rich, fulfilled and glorious life he had!" Former President of India Pranab Mukherjee commented "He was a towering personality, longest serving chief minister in contemporary period. He was the architect of first UPA government. I developed close intimacy with him from 1960s; have lost a great well-wisher. Country has lost great parliamentarian and a patriot." Former Chief Minister of West Bengal Buddhadeb Bhattacharya: "He was our guardian. The country has lost a great leader and the Left democratic movement in the country has received a severe blow. He will forever be remembered for his contribution to the country." Former Chief Minister of Karnataka and External Affairs Minister of India, S. M. Krishna commented "The country has lost a steadfast champion of the causes of underprivileged." Former Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Somnath Chatterjee expressed, "Personally I have lost my father for the second time in Jyoti Basu's death. He was a stalwart, a great leader. He held the CPM fort in West Bengal for a long time." Former Deputy Prime Minister of India and founder of Bharatiya Janata Party, L. K. Advani commented "He