Nation mourns demise of NBA icon Kobe Bryant

The nation on Monday mourned the demise of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who killed along with his teenage daughter and seven others when their helicopter crashed in Southern California.

Bryant, 41, along with his daughter Gianna, 13, and seven others were killed in the crash on a steep, hilly area in Calabasas, California on Sunday morning. All the nine people on board were travelling for Gianna's basketball game which was to begin on Sunday afternoon in the Thousand Oaks area.

Taking to Twitter, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, wrote: "The world has lost a legend, and a family has lost its light. May the prayers of millions of people from around the world give #KobeBryant and family and those of the others who died in this heartbreaking tragedy courage and strength. #RIPMamba."

Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal, tweeted: "The death of American basketball champion #KobeBryant in a helicopter crash at Calabasas, California along with his 13-yr-old daughter and seven others has left me shocked. It's a major loss for the basketball world. My thoughts and prayers are with all those who lost loved ones today."

SAD leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal, also said in a tweet: "Saddened to learn about the tragic demise of American Basketball legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and others on-board the helicopter crashed near Calabasas, California. My condolences to his family, friends and fans across the world. #KobeBryant #KobeBryantRIP."

"Saddened to hear about the tragic demise of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna & others on-board the helicopter. My condolences to his family, friends and fans across the world. #KobeBryant," wrote Former Indian Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar.

Taking to the micro-blogging site, legendary actress Madhuri Dixit Nene, wrote: "This is just so heartbreaking. The untimely death of #KobeBryant and his daughter is so devastating. He was one of the best basketball players who inspired millions of people. My deepest condolences to all the grieving families."

Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill said: "Two untimely deaths #KobeBryant #GiannaBryant -the unpredictability of life can be brutal at times, losing your loved ones like this breaks your inner self-world will remember his greatness & miss the footprints #Gianna Bryant would have left in her journey cut short, RIP."
-IANS