New Delhi:
In a solemn and dignified ceremony, India bid its final farewell to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a stalwart of the country’s economic reforms, on Saturday, December 28, 2024. The last rites of Dr. Singh, who passed away at the age of 92 due to age-related medical complications, were conducted with full state honours at Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi.
The funeral procession, marked by the presence of several high-profile dignitaries, began at the Congress headquarters on Akbar Road. President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and top Congress leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi, were among those who paid their last respects. The ceremony was also attended by Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, reflecting the international respect Dr. Singh commanded.
Dr. Singh’s mortal remains were taken from his residence to the Congress headquarters, where a public viewing was held from 8 am to 9:30 am. The flower-bedecked vehicle carrying his body was accompanied by chants of “Manmohan Singh Amar Rahe” and “Jab tak suraj chand rahega, tab tak tera naam rahega,” as hundreds of Congress workers and admirers walked alongside.
The Union Government has declared a seven-day national mourning in honour of Dr. Singh, during which the national flag will be flown at half-mast across the country. This period of mourning underscores the significant impact Dr. Singh had on India’s economic landscape and his enduring legacy. The Congress party has also suspended all its official programs, including the Foundation Day celebration, until January 3.
A controversy emerged over the allocation of space for Dr. Singh’s memorial, with the Congress criticizing the government for not designating a more befitting location. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge requested Prime Minister Modi to consider building a memorial at the same site where the last rites were held, a tradition followed for other statesmen. However, the government clarified that while a memorial will be established, the process of forming a trust and allocating space will take time.
To facilitate the funeral procession, the Delhi Traffic Police issued a traffic advisory, restricting traffic on several key roads, including Ring Road, Nishad Raj Marg, and Netaji Subhash Marg, from 7 am to 3 pm. Despite these restrictions, a large number of people gathered to pay their respects, reflecting the widespread admiration for Dr. Singh’s contributions to India’s growth and development.
