As India bids farewell to Dr. Manmohan Singh, citizens gathered early on Saturday morning outside the residence of the former Prime Minister in Delhi to pay their respects.
Jasmeet, a resident of East Delhi, accompanied by her husband Hatendra Pal, expressed her admiration for Dr. Singh. She stated, “We have come here from East Delhi to pay our last respects to the late former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh. He made India and the Sikh community famous. He was one of the best economists. We couldn’t meet him when he was alive, but my husband and I came here to give a last tribute. We hope we are allowed in, but if not, we will return understanding the security reasons.”
Earlier, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to designate a place for Dr. Singh’s funeral that could later serve as a memorial.
“I requested to hold Dr. Manmohan Singh’s last rites at a final resting place that would become a sacrosanct venue for his memorial. This would honor a leader who rose from humble beginnings to become a statesman of immense stature,” Kharge wrote in his letter.
Following the Cabinet meeting, Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that the government would allocate space for the memorial.
Dr. Manmohan Singh’s last rites will be performed today at Nigambodh Ghat in Delhi.
Legacy of a Statesman
Dr. Singh’s political career spanned decades, with prominent roles including Finance Minister from 1991 to 1996, during which he initiated transformative economic reforms. He served as the 13th Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014, steering the country through economic challenges and modernizing its economy.
After completing his second term, Dr. Singh retired from public life, leaving behind a legacy of steady leadership and growth. His contributions to India’s development and global standing will remain etched in the nation’s memory.