New Delhi: The nation paid its final respects to former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh as his mortal remains were consigned to the flames at Nigambodh Ghat near Kashmiri Gate in New Delhi on Saturday. Surrounded by the chanting of religious hymns, the funeral pyre was lit by Singh’s eldest daughter, Upinder Singh.
Singh, who passed away on December 26, 2024, at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, left behind a legacy of service and dedication to the country. He served as the 13th Prime Minister of India for a decade, from 2004 to 2014, and is widely regarded as the architect of India’s economic reforms that transformed the nation into one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
A seven-day national mourning period has been declared across India as a mark of respect. During this period, the national flag is being flown at half-mast throughout the country, as announced by the Union Home Ministry.
Top Leaders and Dignitaries Pay Their Respects
The last rites of the former Prime Minister were attended by several top leaders, including President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Foreign dignitaries such as King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan and Mauritius Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful also paid their tributes.
Prominent Indian leaders, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and opposition leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, attended the solemn occasion. The Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, and the three armed services chiefs were also present to offer their respects.
The procession, which began from the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in the morning, witnessed an outpouring of grief and reverence. Congress leaders, workers, and well-wishers gathered to pay their respects and march alongside Singh’s mortal remains. Slogans such as “Manmohan Singh amar rahe” (Long live Manmohan Singh) and “Jab tak suraj chand rahega, tab tak tera naam rahega” (As long as the sun and moon exist, your name will live on) echoed through the streets.
Singh’s Final Journey
The final journey began early in the morning when Singh’s mortal remains were moved from his residence at 3, Motilal Nehru Road to the AICC headquarters, where top Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi, paid their tributes. Singh’s wife, Gursharan Kaur, and one of their daughters also laid wreaths on his body.
Later, the procession continued to Nigambodh Ghat, where Singh’s casket, draped in the national flag and adorned with flowers, was placed on a raised platform for the last rites. Leaders from various political parties offered their wreaths, paying tribute to a leader who transcended party lines in the hearts of many.
Centre Announces Memorial for Manmohan Singh
In a fitting tribute to the former Prime Minister, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, after a Cabinet meeting on Friday, announced that the government would allocate space for a memorial to honor Dr. Manmohan Singh. Shah communicated this decision to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Singh’s family, assuring them of the government’s commitment to preserving Singh’s legacy.
The announcement has been met with widespread support, and the creation of a memorial is expected to serve as a lasting symbol of Dr. Singh’s monumental contribution to India’s political and economic landscape.