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28 December 2024 10:05:37

Former PM Manmohan Singh’s Last Rites to be Performed Today

A week-long state mourning announced

New Delhi – Dr Manmohan Singh, the former Prime Minister of India passed away on the night of 26th December 2024. He was 92. He was taken to AIIMS after he fell unconscious at home. He breathed his last at 9.51 p.m. A State funeral will be held for the late former Prime Minister, with the national flag flown at half-mast, besides the Central Government has announced a week-long state mourning from 26th December 2024 to 1st January 2025. His mortal remains will be kept in the Congress HeadQuarters for some time. A cabinet meeting has been called at 11.00 a.m. while the Congress executive committee’s meeting going on at Belgaum has been cancelled. Other programmes to celebrate the Congress foundation Day have also been cancelled. These programmes will start from 3rd January 2025.

Life history of former PM Dr Manmohan Singh

Former PM Dr Manmohan Sing was born on 2nd September 1932 in a village in Punjab province which is now in Pakistan. He completed his primary education in Punjab and Peshawar. After partition, his family migrated to Amritsar, Punjab in India where he completed his education up to matric. Later, he did an MA in economics and went abroad for further studies. He passed the degree examination in economics with a first-class honour from Cambridge University and D Phil from Oxford University. He was a senior economics professor in Punjab University. He also taught at ‘the School of Economics’ of Delhi University. He was a member and later, Vice President of the Planning Commission. He was the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. In 1991, he became the finance minister in PM Narasimha Rao’s Government  when he carried out several structural reforms that liberalised the Indian economy. He served as Prime Minister of India in 2004 and again in 2009. He is also known for his decisions to introduce ‘Right to Education’ and ‘Right to Information’, etc. He was the first Sikh Prime Minister and the fourth PM to serve for the longest period as PM.

Tributes by dignitaries

Dr Manmohan Singh cleared the path for a new economic system during the economic crisis : PM Narendra Modi

I pay homage to Dr Manmohan Singh on behalf of all citizens. He rose above party politics. He had contact with people from all parties and he used to be always available. I used to meet him even after coming to Delhi. I shall always remember my meetings and discussions with him. I offer condolences to his family members in this difficult time. I pay homage on behalf of all Indians.

Dr Manmohan Singh cleared the path of new economic reforms when India was going through an economic crisis. His contribution will always be remembered. His obligation to the people and the development of this country will always be looked upon with respect. His life was a reflection of his honesty and simplicity. His humbleness and gentleness were the speciality of his parliamentary life. He was a distinguished parliamentarian.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi posted on ‘X’ that he has lost his guide and Guru.

Dr Manmohan Singh was the architect of Indian economy – Former President Ramnath Kovind

Former President Ramnath Kovind said that the passing away of Dr Manmohan Singh is not just a setback for the country  but also a personal loss for me. I knew him for many years. I used to meet him at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He was an example of politeness. He was the architect of the modern Indian economy.

Dr Manmohan Singh’s contribution to Bharat will always be cherished  – RSS

H.H Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat and its general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale of RSS condoled the demise of Dr Manmohan Singh. In their joint statement, it has been stated that despite coming from a humble background, he adorned the highest post. He was a renowned economist. This country will always remember and cherish his contribution. We pray to the Almighty to grant ‘sadgati’ to the departed soul.

Dr Singh, one of the ‘greatest champions’ of the US-India strategic partnership- Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State

While paying heartfelt condolences,  US Secretary of State Antony Blinken referred to Dr Manmohan Singh as one of the greatest champions of the US-India strategic partnership. Dr Singh’s work laid the foundation for much of what the US and India have accomplished in the past two decades, he stated.

Former Canadian PM Stephen Harper stated, “Dr Manmohan Singh had exceptional intelligence, integrity and wisdom. I am saddened to learn of the passing of my former colleague Dr Manmohan Singh.”

Articles published by global media

  • Many articles have been published in global media on the demise of Dr Manmohan Singh. ‘New York Times’, an American newspaper has described him as a soft-spoken and intelligent leader
  • Washington Post has described him as a leader who transformed the Indian economy
  • BBC has described him as an architect of India’s economic liberalisation
  • ‘The Guardian’ describes Dr Manmohan Singh as a ‘reluctant’ Prime Minister

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