December 28th 2024.
New Delhi was filled with grief and sorrow on Saturday as the nation bid farewell to former prime minister Manmohan Singh. Amidst the sound of religious hymns, Singh's mortal remains were cremated at the Nigambodh Ghat. His eldest daughter, Upinder Singh, lit the funeral pyre as a final tribute to her father.
The last rites were performed in the presence of esteemed leaders and dignitaries, including President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Foreign dignitaries, such as King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Mauritius Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful, also paid their respects to Singh.
Many top leaders from India, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, were present to offer their final tributes to the former prime minister. The three service chiefs and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan also paid their respects to Singh.
The procession carrying Singh's mortal remains arrived at the crematorium at 11:30 am, where the final rites were performed. The casket, draped in the Tricolour and adorned with flowers, was placed on a raised platform. Leaders from all political parties laid wreaths on Singh's mortal remains, showing the unity and respect he commanded even in his passing.
The final journey of Singh began from the AICC headquarters on Saturday morning, where Congress leaders paid their homage to the beloved leader. Amidst chants of "Manmohan Singh amar rahe," the vehicle carrying his mortal remains left the Congress headquarters in a solemn procession. A large number of Congress workers and well-wishers joined the procession, shouting "Jab tak suraj chand rahega, tab tak tera naam rahega," as a mark of their love and admiration for the late leader.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, was also present alongside Singh's relatives during the procession. Earlier, Singh's mortal remains were brought to the AICC headquarters from his residence on Motilal Nehru Road, where they were kept for an hour. Top Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, paid their respects to Singh, along with his wife Gursharan Kaur and one of their daughters.
Singh, who passed away at the age of 92 due to age-related medical complications at Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences on Thursday night, was known as the architect of India's economic reforms. He served as the prime minister for 10 years, from 2004 to 2014, and his contributions to the nation will always be remembered.
In honor of the former prime minister, a seven-day national mourning is being observed throughout the country, with the national flag flown at half-mast as a mark of respect. The Union Home Ministry has announced this as a tribute to the late leader. PTI.
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