Former PM Manmohan Singh to be cremated at Nigambodh Ghat today with full State honours
STATE TIMES NEWS
NEW DELHI: 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.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to have the funeral of Singh at a place where his memorial can be built. He also said it would be befitting a leader of Singh’s stature and in keeping with past traditions of having memorials of statesmen and former prime ministers at the very place of their funerals.
The government communicated the decision about Singh’s funeral.
“It has been decided by the Government that State funeral will be accorded to Dr. Manmohan Singh. The funeral will take place at 11:45 am on 28th December, 2024 at Nigambodh Ghat, New Delhi,” the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a communication.
The mortals remains of Singh will be kept at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters for an hour from 8.30 am for the people and Congress workers to pay their obeisance.
Singh’s final journey will commence from the headquarters to the cremation ground at 9.30 am on Saturday, party general secretary K C Venugopal said.
“At 8 am tomorrow, December 28, his mortal remains will be taken to the AICC headquarters where the public and Congress workers will have the opportunity to offer their tributes between 8.30 am and 9.30 am. Dr Singh’s final journey to the heavenly abode will commence from the AICC HQ to the cremation ground at 9.30 am tomorrow,” Venugopal said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was among the first ones to pay homage to Singh and lay a wreath on Friday, said his predecessor’s death was a big loss and the nation has lost an eminent statesman, renowned economist and a distinguished leader.
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. He is survived by his wife Gursharan Kaur and three daughters.
Singh’s wife, his daughter and other family members were present besides the body.
The government has announced a seven-day State mourning as a mark of respect to the former prime minister.
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 Prime Minister,” Badal said in a post on X.
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.
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.
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.
Several other leaders — Union ministers, chief ministers and Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Kharge and Rahul Gandhi — also paid their tributes to the former two-term prime minister.
In a video message, Modi recalled Singh’s life journey after his family migrated to India following Partition and said his life would always serve as a lesson for the future generations on how someone can rise above deprivation and struggles to attain the heights of success.
“As prime minister, his contribution to the country’s development and progress will always be remembered,” he added.
The Union cabinet also passed a resolution that said, “Dr 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.”
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 termed Singh’s demise as a “personal loss”, saying he was her friend, philosopher and guide and that in his death, the party has lost a leader who was the epitome of wisdom, nobility and humility.
Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman and BJP president J P Nadda were among those paid their tributes to Singh.
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.
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 DPhil 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.
Meanwhile, across Jammu and Kashmir, leaders, organizations, and communities have come together to pay their heartfelt tributes to the former Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh.
Widely regarded as a visionary leader and a remarkable economist, Dr. Singh’s contributions to India’s economic and political landscape have left an indelible mark on the nation.
In a brief meeting, the Jammu Kashmir Sharnarthi Action Committee (JKSAC) President Gurdev Singh highlighted Dr. Singh’s exceptional role in guiding India out of the financial crisis of 1991, as well as his instrumental efforts in making India economically self-sufficient. “It is due to his sincere efforts that India is now leading in various global spheres,” Singh remarked.
Uday Bhanu Chib paid glowing tributes to Dr. Singh at his residence in New Delhi. Chib described Dr. Singh as a statesman whose leadership and vision were key in India’s economic reforms. He acknowledged Dr. Singh’s unwavering commitment to national progress, unity, and his contributions to the Congress party.
Subash Shastri, President of NMC, emphasized that Dr. Singh’s economic policies, particularly his role as Finance Minister and Prime Minister, elevated India’s global standing. He also highlighted Dr. Singh’s pro-employee initiatives, including the establishment of the 7th Pay Commission, which he considered a monumental contribution to the welfare of Indian workers.
The Bawa Bhair Dev Sathan Trust, through a joint statement by Balwant Singh (President), Ramesh Sharma (General Secretary), and others, expressed sorrow over Dr. Singh’s passing. The Trust members hailed Dr. Singh for his integrity, intellectual brilliance, and commitment to reforms.
At the University of Jammu, a condolence meeting was held to honor the late Prime Minister. Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, praised Dr. Singh’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of India’s most respected leaders. He described Dr. Singh as a beacon of wisdom whose remarkable intellect and unwavering commitment to public service had inspired generations. The Department of Economics also held a meeting to reflect on Dr. Singh’s contributions, particularly his role in shaping India’s economic transformation. Faculty and students fondly recalled his visits to the university, where his insights into global and domestic issues had left a lasting impression.
In a special meeting, Th. Gulchain Singh Charak, President of the Dogra Sadar Sabha, expressed deep sorrow over Dr. Singh’s passing, especially as he had played a pivotal role in the Sabha’s efforts to include the Dogri language in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The Sabha decided to postpone its 120th General Council Meeting scheduled for December 28, 2024, as a mark of respect. Members of the Sabha, including Col. Karan Singh, Brig. M.S. Jamwal, and Adv. Ghambhir Dev Singh, joined in offering their condolences.
A condolence meeting was held at the Congress Headquarters in Jammu, where senior leaders, including Tara Chand (Former Dy. CM) and Raman Bhalla (Former Minister), paid floral tributes to Dr. Singh. They praised his contributions, particularly his introduction of social welfare programs like MNREGA, Right to Education, and the Forest Rights Act. Bhalla emphasized Dr. Singh’s commitment to India’s pluralistic nature and his role in fostering unity in diversity. A two-minute silence was observed to honor the departed leader.
Kavinder Gupta, former Deputy Chief Minister, expressed his grief over Dr. Singh’s passing, describing him as a visionary leader known for his economic policies and integrity. Gupta acknowledged Dr. Singh’s role in shaping India’s economic trajectory during his tenure as Finance Minister and Prime Minister, which significantly elevated India on the global stage.
Ajatshatru Singh, scion of the Dogra royal family, also extended his condolences, highlighting Dr. Singh’s dedication to public service and his impact on India’s progress.
Ranvijay Singh, great-grandson of Maharaja Hari Singh, also expressed his grief, calling Dr. Singh a true statesman whose leadership, economic vision, and integrity would be remembered for generations to come.
Dr. Singh’s passing is a profound loss to the nation, but his legacy of humility, wisdom, and visionary leadership will continue to inspire future generations. Various organizations, political leaders, and citizens have expressed their deepest condolences to his family and to the nation, as India bids farewell to one of its most respected leaders.
Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, in his condolence message, remembered Dr. Singh as an exemplary leader, distinguished economist, and visionary statesman whose contributions will remain unparalleled in the annals of history.
Javed Ahmad Dar, the Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development, and Panchayati Raj, also expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of Dr. Singh. He praised the former Prime Minister for his groundbreaking economic reforms and for paving the way for India’s global economic standing.
Both leaders joined the nation in mourning the loss of one of India’s most revered figures, whose legacy continues to inspire leaders and citizens alike.
Gaurav Gupta, Secretary of Jammu Club and former Secretary-General of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), Jammu, paid a heartfelt tribute, recalling Dr. Singh’s leadership during the 2008 financial crisis. “Dr. Singh’s calm approach and his understanding of economics kept India stable when the world was facing economic turmoil,” Gupta said. He further highlighted the former PM’s role in economic liberalization, which opened up India to globalization and accelerated its growth.