In brief
The nation mourns the passing of its illustrious leader, who transformed India's economy, as dignitaries and mourners gather to pay their final respects.
India has united in mourning for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was honored with a full state funeral in Delhi following his passing at the age of 92. Singh served as the Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 and was hailed as the architect of India's economic liberalization and transformation. The funeral ceremony took place on Saturday, attended by notable figures including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who labeled Singh as one of India's "most distinguished leaders."A significant turnout of mourners lined the streets of the capital, paying their respects as Singh's coffin—adorned with an Indian flag and surrounded by an honor guard—made its way to the cremation grounds. His eldest daughter lit the funeral pyre, witnessed by top leaders including President Droupadi Murmu and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, along with prominent members of Singh's Congress Party.Among those attending were foreign dignitaries such as Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and the Foreign Minister of Mauritius, Dhananjay Ramful. The state funeral included full military honors and a 21-gun salute, marking Singh's contributions to the nation.In the wake of Singh's death, the Indian government proclaimed seven days of mourning. Prime Minister Modi expressed profound respect for Singh, commending his wisdom and humility throughout their interactions. Singh's passing was also deeply felt by opposition Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who referred to him as a mentor and guide, underscoring the personal impact he had on many.Internationally, tributes flowed in, notably from U.S. President Joe Biden, who credited Singh's strategic vision and political courage for fostering unprecedented cooperation between the United States and India. “He was a true statesman and a dedicated public servant,” said Biden.During his tenure, Singh shifted India's economic trajectory, famously asserting that "no power on Earth can stop an idea whose time has come" in his first budget speech. He was pivotal in lifting millions out of poverty and firmly establishing India among the world's fastest-growing economies.As the first Sikh to lead India, Singh officially apologized in 2005 for the tragic 1984 riots that took the lives of around 3,000 Sikhs. His political career also marked the unprecedented feat of being re-elected after a full first term, a privilege last held by Jawaharlal Nehru, India's inaugural Prime Minister. However, Singh's second term was overshadowed by numerous corruption scandals, contributing notably to the Congress party's significant loss in the 2014 general election.
