India Bids Farewell to Dr. Manmohan Singh: Last Rites Held with Full State Honours

Nation Mourns: Leaders and Dignitaries Pay Tribute at Nigambodh Ghat

December 28, 2024: India bid a tearful farewell to former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, who passed away at the age of 92 due to age-related medical complications. His final rites were performed with full state honours at Nigambodh Ghat in Delhi on Saturday.

Also Read: ‘Friend, Philosopher, Guide’: Sonia Gandhi Pays Emotional Tribute to Dr. Manmohan Singh

Key Highlights from the Funeral:

Also Read: Centre vs Congress: Row Erupts Over Memorial for Former PM Manmohan Singh

1. Dignitaries Pay Homage:
   President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi were among the many leaders who attended the ceremony. Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay was also present to pay respects.
2. Seven-Day State Mourning Declared:
   The Centre announced a seven-day state mourning, with the national flag flying at half-mast across the country as a mark of respect. The Congress Party has also suspended all official programs, including Foundation Day celebrations, until January 3.
3. Memorial Site Controversy:
   A disagreement arose between the Congress and the Centre regarding the location of Dr. Singh’s memorial. While Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge requested that the site of Dr. Singh’s cremation serve as his memorial, the BJP criticized the demand, pointing out the absence of a memorial for former PM P.V. Narasimha Rao during Congress rule.
4. Centre’s Clarification:
   The Centre assured that a space would be allocated for Dr. Singh’s memorial, but clarified that such a process requires the establishment of a trust and formal procedures.
5. Sharmistha Mukherjee’s Criticism:
   Former President Pranab Mukherjee’s daughter, Sharmistha Mukherjee, criticised the Congress for their memorial demand, recalling that no condolence meeting was held by the Congress Working Committee (CWC) when her father passed away.
6. A Global Leader Remembered:
   International leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim, expressed condolences.

Also Read: Pranab Mukherjee’s Daughter, Sharmistha Criticises Congress Over Manmohan Singh Memorial Row

Dr. Manmohan Singh’s Legacy:

Known as the ‘Architect of India’s Economic Reforms’, Dr. Singh served two terms as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 under the Congress-led UPA government.

• Born in 1932, he earned a First Class Honours degree in Economics from Cambridge University and later pursued studies at Nuffield College, Oxford.
• He played a pivotal role in India’s economic liberalization in 1991 as Finance Minister.
• In 1987, he was honored with the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award.

A Farewell to a Statesman:

Dr. Singh’s humility, intelligence, and vision earned him immense respect worldwide. As the nation mourns his passing, his contributions to India’s economic and social progress remain etched in history.

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