Former Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh was cremated with full state honours at Nigam Bodh Ghat in New Delhi on Saturday, following his passing on Thursday night at the age of 92.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) confirmed that Singh’s last rites would include state honours, with the funeral scheduled for 11:45 am on December 28, 2024.
The MHA announced on Friday that space would be allocated for a memorial to honour Singh, India’s 13th Prime Minister. This decision was communicated to Singh’s family and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, who had requested that the former PM’s last rites be held at a location suitable for a memorial.
Manmohan Singh’s mortal remains were moved from his residence to the Congress headquarters on Akbar Road at 8 am on Saturday, where the public paid their respects. A funeral procession began at 10 AM and Singh was laid to rest at 12:50 pm.
Senior Leaders Paid Their Respects
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Health Minister JP Nadda and Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge were among those present. The King of Bhutan and the Foreign Minister of Mauritius also attended the funeral.
The government declared a seven-day mourning period to honour Singh. Tributes poured in from global leaders, including US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who remembered Singh’s contributions as an economist and statesman.
His Distinguished Career in Office
Manmohan Singh served as India’s Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). Known as a key architect of India’s 1991 economic reforms during his tenure as Finance Minister, Singh implemented policies to liberalise the economy, streamline public sector enterprises and attract private investment.
Singh was a member of the Rajya Sabha, representing Assam and later Rajasthan, until April 2024. Though he was never elected to the Lok Sabha, his influence on Indian politics and economics remained profound.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, highlighting Singh’s role in making India an economically strong nation. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi also remembered his contributions to the party and the country.
As Finance Minister in 1991, Singh proposed significant public sector reforms, including disinvestment in select enterprises, greater autonomy for management and measures to protect workers affected by restructuring.
His efforts aimed to modernise India’s economy while safeguarding marginalised groups and critical industries.
Singh’s tenure as Prime Minister saw strengthened ties with the United States and the landmark US-India nuclear agreement. His policies and leadership left an enduring legacy in India’s economic and political landscape.
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