Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India]: Following the passing of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti hailed him as a man of few words but immense action, highlighting his role in the 2002 PDP-Congress alliance.
“We have gathered here today to pay our last respects to former PM Manmohan Singh who died yesterday. When the entire world was going through an economic crisis, it did not affect India as Dr. Manmohan Singh handled the economy well. I have known him personally since 2002 when PDP and Congress were in talks for an alliance. Back then, Sonia Gandhi sent Manmohan Singh here, and for the first time in my life, I met such a humble person. He played a crucial role in forming the alliance and preparing the agenda,” said Mehbooba Mufti.
Remembering his modesty and humility, she added, “He was a man of few words, but he was a man of action. I wish his soul rests in peace and pray for his family to have the strength to bear this loss. We should remember him for his work, good deeds, and his soft-spoken demeanor. Today, even for small events, huge advertisements are put up, but I did not see Dr. Manmohan Singh in any advertisement.”
National Mourning Declared
In honour of Dr. Singh’s legacy, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, passed a condolence resolution and declared a seven-day state mourning until January 1, 2025. The National Flag will be flown at half-mast across India and at all Indian Missions abroad during this period. Dr. Singh will be accorded a state funeral, with a half-day holiday for all Central Government offices and CPSUs on the day of the funeral.
The Cabinet observed two minutes of silence and expressed its profound sorrow, describing Dr. Singh as a “renowned economist, eminent statesman, and a distinguished leader who left an indelible mark on Indian society.”
Public Viewing and Last Rites
The Congress Party has announced that Dr. Singh’s mortal remains will be placed at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in Delhi for public viewing. The “last darshan” is scheduled for Saturday from 8:00 am to 10:00 am. His cremation will take place near Rajghat, where former Prime Ministers are traditionally laid to rest.
Legacy of a Visionary Leader
Born on September 26, 1932, in Gah, West Punjab (now in Pakistan), Dr. Singh was a towering intellectual figure. After completing his Master’s in Economics from Panjab University, he earned a Tripos from Cambridge University and a DPhil in Economics from Oxford University.
Dr. Singh served as India’s Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 and is credited with spearheading the 1991 economic liberalization reforms as Finance Minister, which transformed India’s economy. He held various key roles, including Governor of the Reserve Bank of India and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, leaving an unmatched legacy of economic and political achievements.
His passing at the age of 92 marks the end of an era. As tributes pour in from across the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked, “India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders.”