Manmohan Singh to be cremated today with full State honours - Greater Kashmir

Srinagar / New Delhi, Dec 27: The last rites of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would be performed at Nigambodh Ghat on Saturday with full State honours as the nation united in paying rich tributes to the departed leader at his residence a day after his death.

Draped in the tricolour, Singh’s body was placed at his 3, Motilal Nehru Road, residence – the sprawling bungalow in Lutyens’ Delhi that served as his retirement abode for over 10 years, where people made a beeline to pay their last respects.

Singh, the architect of India’s economic reforms and a consensus builder in the rough world of politics, died at AIIMS, Delhi, late on Thursday.

He was 92.

Singh is survived by his wife Gursharan Kaur and three daughters.

Singh’s wife, his daughter and other family members were present beside the body.

Despite the inclement weather, leaders from across party lines and common people made a beeline to have a glimpse of the departed leader who was respected the world over.

Meanwhile, the Government of India announced with profound sorrow the death of the former PM.

“As a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, it has been decided that seven days of state mourning will be observed throughout India from December 26, 2024, to January 1, 2025, both days inclusive. During this period the national flag will be flown at half-mast throughout India where it is regularly flown and there will be no official entertainment during the period of state mourning. It has also been decided that the State funeral will be accorded to late Manmohan Singh,” the government said. “The national flag will also fly half-mast on the day of funeral in all Indian Missions and High Commissions of India abroad.”

The J&K Government, in alignment with the decision of the Government of India, also announced a seven-day ‘State Mourning’ in J&K from December 26, 2024, to January 1, 2025, as a mark of respect to the former Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh.

President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar were among the top dignitaries who paid homage in the morning.

Former president Ram Nath Kovind also paid his last respects in the evening.

Singh’s life teaches how to rise above adversity: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the former PM in a video message from New Delhi.

He said that Singh’s demise was a significant loss for the nation.

The PM said that achieving success in every field of life was not an ordinary feat and Singh was an achiever despite having lost much after he came to India during the partition.

He said that Singh’s life teaches future generations how to rise above adversity and achieve great heights.

PM Modi emphasised that Singh would always be remembered as a kind person, a learned economist, and a leader dedicated to reforms and highlighted Singh’s numerous contributions to the Indian government at various levels as an economist.

He lauded Singh’s role as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India during challenging times.

The PM said that as Finance Minister in the government of former PM and Bharat Ratna P V Narasimha Rao, Singh guided the country out of a financial crisis and onto a new economic path.

He emphasised that Singh’s contributions to the nation’s development and progress as the PM would always be remembered.

PM Modi said that Singh’s commitment to the people and the country’s development was always held in high regard.

He underscored that Singh’s life was a reflection of his honesty and simplicity.

The PM highlighted that Singh’s distinguished parliamentary career was marked by his humility, gentleness, and intellect.

He recalled that at the end of Singh’s tenure in the Rajya Sabha earlier this year, he had praised Singh’s dedication as an inspiration to all.

PM Modi said that despite his physical challenges, Singh attended important sessions in a wheelchair, fulfilling his parliamentary duties.

He said that despite receiving education from prestigious global institutions and holding top government positions, Singh never forgot the values of his humble background.

The PM said that Singh always rose above party politics, maintaining contact with individuals from all parties and being easily accessible to everyone.

He fondly remembered his open discussions with Singh on national and international issues during his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat and later in New Delhi.

PM Modi expressed his condolences to Singh’s family and paid tribute to him on behalf of all citizens.

Union cabinet passes resolution

The Union cabinet also passed a resolution that said, “Manmohan Singh has left his imprint on our national life. In his passing away, the nation has lost an eminent statesman, renowned economist and a distinguished leader.”

Union Ministers pay tributes

Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman and BJP President J P Nadda also paid their tributes to the former PM.

“It has been decided by the Government that a State funeral will be accorded to Manmohan Singh. The funeral will take place at 11:45 am on December 28, 2024, at Nigambodh Ghat, New Delhi,” the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a communication.

CWC hails Singh’s contributions

Hours after the union cabinet condoled the death of Singh and hailed his contribution to the nation, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) met in the evening to mourn the loss of a “true statesman” and said his life and work profoundly shaped the destiny of India.

Describing Singh as a towering figure in India’s political and economic landscape, the CWC resolution said his contributions transformed the country and earned him respect worldwide.

“Through his policies of deregulation, privatization, and the encouragement of foreign investment, he laid the foundation for India’s rapid economic growth. Under his stewardship, India emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, a testament to his brilliance and vision,” the CWC said.

Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi pay tributes

Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi also paid their tributes to the former two-term PM.

Sonia Gandhi termed Singh’s demise as a “personal loss”, saying he was her friend, philosopher and guide and that in his death, the party had lost a leader who was the epitome of wisdom, nobility and humility.

His transformative reforms set foundation for modern India: Farooq Abdullah

Three-time chief minister of J&K and National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the former PM.

In his heartfelt message, Abdullah extended his sympathies to the bereaved family, especially to Singh’s wife and daughters.

“Manmohan Singh was a paragon of patriotism and secularism, embodying the virtues of a true leader. His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by remarkable contributions to India’s economic landscape, notably the transformative reforms of 1991 that liberalised our economy and set the foundation for modern India,” he said.

Abdullah also highlighted Singh’s distinguished role on the international stage, particularly his contributions to the United Nations, which enhanced India’s stature globally.

“As an economist and statesman, Singh’s vision and policies were instrumental in shaping the trajectory of our nation’s development,” he said.

Sukhbir Singh Badal expresses shock

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal expressed shock and disbelief over the Centre not acceding to the request of Singh’s family for cremation at a place where an “appropriate and historic memorial” may be built to commemorate his “unparalleled services to the nation”.

“It is inexplicable why the government is showing such disrespect to the great leader who was the only member of the Sikh community to rise to become the PM,” Badal said in a post on X.

CMs of various states pay last respects at Delhi

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also came to Delhi to pay their last respects to the former prime minister.

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav also paid their last respects to Singh.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat and general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale condoled his passing, saying his contributions to Bharat would always be remembered.

The Life of Simplicity

Born to Gurmukh Singh and Amrit Kaur on September 26, 1932, in Gah village of the Punjab province of undivided India (now Pakistan), Singh passed his matriculation examination in 1948.

His family migrated to Amritsar after Partition in 1948 after living shortly in Haldwani.

Singh completed his intermediate and graduation in economics from the Hindu College here before moving out of the city to pursue higher studies in Panjab University’s Hoshiarpur campus.

His academic career took him from Punjab to the University of Cambridge, UK, where he earned a First Class Honours degree in Economics. Singh followed this with a D Phil in Economics from Nuffield College of Oxford University.

Singh’s half-brother Surjit Singh Kohli said the former prime minister had deep affection for his grandmother, who raised him following his mother’s death when he was very young.

After migrating to India, the Singh family settled in a small rented house in Amritsar till he graduated.

Uttar Pradesh minister Asim Arun, who served as Singh’s close protection officer for nearly three years during his tenure as a Special Protection Group (SPG) officer, shared his experiences and insights into Singh’s personality, emphasising his simple lifestyle and connection with the common man. He also shared an anecdote of Singh’s attachment to his Maruti Suzuki 800 personal car, reflecting his simplicity.

His UPA government introduced path-breaking initiatives such as the Right to Information Act, Right to Education Act and the MNREGA.