LIVE | India bids farewell to Manmohan Singh; Rahul Gandhi attacks Modi govt
Considered the architect of India's economic reforms, Singh served as the prime minister for 10 years between 2004 and 2014
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the architect of India's economic reforms and a consensus builder in the rough world of politics, was laid to rest with full state honours at Delhi's Nighambodh Ghat on Saturday (December 28).
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi were prominent among those who paid last respects to the departed leader before his last rites.
The procession carrying Singh's mortal remains reached the crematorium at around 11.30 pm.
Later, Rahul attacked the Narendra Modi government for "insulting" Manmohan Singh over the venue for his last rites.
"The great son of Mother India and the first Prime Minister of the Sikh community, Dr. Manmohan Singh ji has been totally insulted by the present government by performing his last rites today at the Nigambodh Ghat. He was the Prime Minister of India for a decade, during his tenure the country became an economic superpower and his policies are still the support of the poor and backward classes of the country," Rahul wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) account in Hindi.
"Till date, respecting the dignity of all former Prime Ministers, their last rites were performed at authorized burial sites so that every person could have the last darshan and pay homage without any inconvenience. Dr. Manmohan Singh deserves our highest respect and a memorial. The government should have shown respect to this great son of the country and his proud community," he added.
Earlier, the final journey of Singh began from the AICC headquarters on Saturday morning after Congress leaders paid homage to their departed leader.
The flower-bedecked vehicle carrying the mortal remains of Singh left the Congress headquarters in a procession amid chants of "Manmohan Singh amar rahe".
A large number of Congress workers and leaders along with hundreds of Singh's well-wishers walked along as "Jab tak suraj chand rahega, tab tak tera naam rahega" slogans rent the air.
Former Congress chief and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, also accompanied the procession alongside Singh's relatives.
Singh's mortal remains were taken to the AICC headquarters from his residence on 3, Motilal Nehru Road a little before 9 AM.
The mortal remains were kept there for about an hour, with several top Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, paying their last respects, among others.
Singh's wife Gursharan Kaur and one of their daughters also laid a wreath on his body and paid their last respects.
Singh passed away on Thursday night at Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences due to age-related medical complications. He was 92.
Considered the architect of India's economic reforms, Singh served as the prime minister for 10 years between 2004 and 2014.
A seven-day national mourning is being observed throughout the country as a mark of respect to the former prime minister during which the national flag will be flown at half-mast across the nation, the Union Home Ministry has announced.
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Live Updates
- 27 Dec 2024 3:34 PM IST
Manmohan Singh was against corruption: Hazare
Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare on Friday condoled the death of former prime minister Manmohan Singh and said he always prioritised the welfare of the country and society.
“Those who are born have to die, but some leave memories and their legacy behind. Singh gave a new direction to the country’s economy,” Hazare told PTI in his native village in Maharashtra’s Ahilyanagar district.
Hazare recalled his agitation against corruption during Singh’s tenure in the early 2010s. The former PM invited him for talks and took quick decisions, said the octogenarian activist.
“He was against corruption and took immediate decisions concerning the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act. He always thought about the country and how best he could work for its people,” Hazare said.
Singh, who was the PM from 2004 to 2014, gave a new direction to the country’s economy and brought it on the path of development, said the activist.
“Manmohan Singh has left the world in physical form but will always remain in (people’s) memories,” he added.
Singh, who was instrumental in making India an economic powerhouse, died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences on Thursday night. He was 92.
- 27 Dec 2024 3:33 PM IST
China lauds Manmohan Singh’s contribution to development of Sino-India ties
China on Friday paid tributes to former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh saying that he made a “positive contribution” to the development of India-China relations recalling key agreements signed between the two countries during his tenure to address the vexed boundary issue.
Singh was a senior politician and renowned economist of India and had made a positive contribution to the development of India-China relations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a media briefing here replying to a question on Singh’s legacy to the improvement of the ties between the two countries.
When he was prime minister, China and India announced the establishment of the strategic cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity and reached an agreement on the political parameters and guiding principles for the settlement of the India-China boundary question, Mao said.
China expresses deep condolences on his passing and extends its sympathy to the Indian government and people and Singh’s family, she said.
Singh, the architect of India's economic reforms, died in Delhi on Thursday night. He was 92.
He is survived by his wife Gursharan Kaur, a history professor, and three daughters. PTI
- 27 Dec 2024 3:17 PM IST
Karnataka Congress pays tributes to Manmohan Singh at the venue planned for convention
Karnataka Congress on Friday paid tributes to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who died on Thursday, at the site where they planned mega convention here for the centenary celebrations of the 1924 Indian National Congress session presided by Mahatma Gandhi.
Several Congress leaders including its President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, attended the extended Congress Working Committee meeting planned as part of the centenary celebrations, here on Thursday.
They were scheduled to address a mega convention named 'Jai Bapu- Jai Bhim - Jai Samvidhan' here today, but the event was cancelled following Singh's demise. Kharge, Gandhi and several AICC leaders have rushed back to Delhi.
Other leaders including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress chief D K Shivakumar, state ministers and legislators paid floral tributes to Singh's portrait at the venue planned for mega convention.
Siddaramaiah in his address said, Manmohan Singh was a great economist and a very humble human being. "He was soft natured, soft and less spoken. I had the opportunity to meet him several times as the Leader of Opposition and Chief Minister of Karnataka. He treated and spoke to everyone respectfully and heard everyone patiently and used to say directly whether something told or requested of him will either happen or not," he said.
Singh was an honest Prime Minister, the CM said, he had occupied various positions in his career and did justice to them, and tried to find solutions to various problems faced by the country.
Recalling his tenure as finance minister in Narasimha Rao government and as prime minister for ten years, Siddaramaiah said, he opened up the economy, lifted the country financially, and the nation cannot forget his contribution.
- 27 Dec 2024 3:15 PM IST
Adani, Chandrasekaran lead India Inc in paying tributes to Manmohan Singh
Billionaire Gautam Adani, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran and business tycoon Anil Ambani led India Inc. in paying tributes to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, calling him the architect of economic reforms and one of the tallest leaders.
Singh, who opened up the economy as finance minister and served as prime minister for two consecutive terms, died on Thursday at the age of 92.
"History will forever honour his pivotal role in the transformative 1991 reforms that reshaped India and opened its doors to the world. A rare leader who spoke softly but achieved monumental strides through his actions, Dr Singh's life remains a masterclass in leadership, humility and service to the nation and will inspire generations to come," Adani group chairman said in a post on X.
Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran called Singh one of the stalwarts who envisioned a new, liberalised India that is taking its rightful place in the world. "We mourn the passing away of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, one of the stalwarts who envisioned a new, liberalised India that is taking its rightful place in the world," he said in a statement. "Dr Singh will always be remembered for his visionary thinking and deep insights while always being humble and upholding his personal values," Chandrasekaran said. His inspiring leadership earned him respect across the world, he added.
Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla said with Singh's demise the nation has lost one of its tallest leaders and finest economists. "His most defining contribution -- the epochal 91 reforms spurred a multi-decadal economic boom and more importantly reshaped the calculus of possibilities for India and Indians," Birla said in a statement.
He further said, "Over several decades in public life, his intellect, wisdom, and humility stood as exemplars, leaving an indelible mark on the nation's conscience." Singh's extraordinary rise from humble beginnings to the Prime Minister's office epitomises the boundless potential of India and serves as an inspiration for generations of Indians, Birla added.
Reliance Group head Anil Ambani said the former prime minister's life was a testament to humility, wisdom and service to India. "As the Guru Granth Sahib says, 'Nanak Naam Chardi Kala, Tere Bhane Sarbat Da Bhala' - 'With the Divine Name comes eternal optimism; by You will, may there be well-being for all'. His vision and integrity will inspire generations," he said in a statement. "A guiding light has left us." In a post on X, JSW Group Chairman and Managing Director Sajjan Jindal described Singh as "a statesman of humility" and wisdom-India owes him a debt of gratitude. "Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Manmohan Singh ji, former Prime Minister of India and the visionary leader behind India's economic liberalisation," Jindal wrote.
RPG Enterprise Chairman Harsh Goenka wrote, "India mourns the loss of Dr. Manmohan Singh, a true statesman whose quiet demeanour belied his transformative impact.".
Goenka further said, "An architect of economic reforms, he shaped modern India with intellect, grace, and integrity. A leader who let actions speak louder than words." Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra in a post on X said: "Farewell Dr. Manmohan Singh. You loved this nation. And your service to it will long be remembered".
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson of Biocon Ltd, posted on X: "Manmohan Singh, 2-Time PM And Architect Of India's Economic Reforms, Dies At 92 - He was an erudite economist and a man of high integrity. A PM to whom we owe our economic turnaround." PTI
- 27 Dec 2024 3:08 PM IST
Union Cabinet hails Manmohan Singh as eminent statesman, distinguished leader
The Union Cabinet on Friday condoled the passing of former prime minister Manmohan Singh, hailing him as an eminent statesman and a distinguished leader who left an imprint on the national life.
During a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Cabinet observed a two-minute silence in honour of the departed soul and adopted a Condolence Resolution in the memory of Singh.
"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," the resolution read.
The Cabinet extended its heartfelt condolences on behalf of the government and the entire nation to his bereaved family.
The government has declared seven days of State mourning till January 1 during which the national flag will be flown at half-mast across the country.
The national flag will also be flown at half-mast in all the Indian missions/high commissions till January 1.
The former prime minister will be accorded a State funeral and a half-day holiday will be declared in all central government offices and CPSUs.
"The Cabinet expresses profound sorrow over the sad demise of Dr Manmohan Singh, former prime minister of India, on December 26…," the resolution said.
