The mortal remains of Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India, were cremated on Saturday with full state honors in New Delhi, sparking an outpouring of grief both in India and abroad. The funeral, held on the banks of the Yamuna River, followed Sikh traditions, with priests chanting hymns as Singh’s body, draped in the Indian flag, was transported through the capital on a flower-decked carriage pulled by a ceremonial army truck.
After the flag was removed, the body was covered with saffron cloth and placed on the pyre. Singh, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 92, is remembered for his leadership during India’s economic liberalization and his role in navigating the country through critical global and domestic challenges.
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Singh’s leadership was often viewed through a critical lens, especially in his later years, as his government faced accusations of corruption. However, in his final years, he expressed confidence that “history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media.” His tenure ended in 2014 when his coalition government was replaced by the administration of Narendra Modi.
Modi, who attended the funeral and called Singh one of India’s “most distinguished leaders,” paid tribute to the former prime minister’s legacy. President Droupadi Murmu also attended, and the government announced plans to allocate land for a memorial in Singh’s honor.
Singh was born in 1932 in Gah, now part of Pakistan, and rose to international prominence for his contributions to India’s economic development. His career included serving as the finance minister during a financial crisis in 1991 and later as the prime minister from 2004 to 2014. During his tenure, India saw significant economic growth, and Singh was instrumental in sealing a historic nuclear deal with the United States.
World leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, expressed condolences, recognizing Singh as a “true statesman” whose work has left a lasting impact globally. Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader and Singh’s close associate, remembered him as a mentor, saying Singh led India with “immense wisdom and integrity.”
Singh is survived by his wife and three daughters, leaving behind a legacy marked by humility, service to the nation, and unwavering dedication to India’s growth.
