India bid farewell to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with a state funeral in Delhi, honoring one of its longest-serving leaders. Singh, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 92, served as India’s Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 and was widely regarded as the architect of the country’s economic liberalization.
The funeral procession moved through the streets of Delhi, with mourners gathering to pay their respects. Singh’s coffin, adorned with vibrant floral garlands and the Indian flag, was accompanied by an honor guard as it made its way to the cremation grounds. His eldest daughter lit the funeral pyre in the presence of prominent leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar. Several senior members of Singh’s Congress Party and foreign dignitaries, such as Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Mauritius’s Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful, were also in attendance.
The state funeral, which included a 21-gun salute, marked the culmination of seven days of national mourning declared after Singh’s passing. Prime Minister Modi described him as one of the country’s most distinguished leaders, emphasizing Singh’s wisdom and humility, which he had witnessed in their interactions. Modi credited Singh with significant efforts to improve the lives of Indian citizens during his tenure.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi referred to Singh as both a mentor and a guide, expressing personal loss. Tributes also poured in from international figures, with the President of the United States highlighting Singh’s strategic vision and political courage, which he believed were instrumental in fostering unprecedented cooperation between India and the United States. Singh was remembered as a statesman, a dedicated public servant, and a kind and humble individual.
Manmohan Singh’s legacy is defined by his transformative impact on India’s economy. As Finance Minister in 1991, he initiated groundbreaking reforms that altered the nation’s growth trajectory. His first budget speech famously included the declaration that no power on Earth can stop an idea whose time has come.These reforms continued during his tenure as Prime Minister, lifting millions out of poverty and positioning India as one of the fastest-growing economies globally.
Singh, the first Sikh to become Prime Minister of India, also made a historic apology in 2005 for the anti-Sikh riots of 1984, during which thousands of Sikhs were killed. His tenure is notable for being re-elected after completing a full first term an achievement previously seen only under Jawaharlal Nehru’s leadership.
However, Singh’s second term was overshadowed by allegations of corruption, which significantly impacted his party’s standing. These scandals were seen as a major factor behind the Congress Party’s defeat in the 2014 general elections. Despite these challenges, Singh’s contributions to India’s economic and social landscape remain deeply respected.
