Thu Dec 26 17:20:00 UTC 2024: ## Seven Days of National Mourning Declared Following Death of Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
**New Delhi, [Date]** – India observed seven days of national mourning following the death of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on December 26th at AIIMS, New Delhi. The 92-year-old leader’s passing triggered the customary period of national mourning, a practice observed upon the deaths of current and former Presidents and Prime Ministers.
During this period, the national flag is flown at half-mast, and official celebrations and functions are suspended. While the declaration of a seven-day mourning period is standard practice, the duration can vary depending on government guidelines and specific circumstances. The government’s official announcement followed the former Prime Minister’s passing.
Dr. Singh’s death prompted a similar response to that seen after the passing of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was also honoured with seven days of national mourning. His state funeral included full military honours, a common practice for deceased dignitaries. Central and public sector undertakings typically observe half-day or full-day closures. The national flag is lowered to half-mast at Indian embassies and high commissions worldwide.
While the 1997 central government notification states that a public holiday isn’t mandatory during a state funeral, a day off is often declared, especially in cases of sitting Presidents or Prime Ministers. However, this is at the discretion of the President (in consultation with the Union Cabinet) and state governments frequently declare their own holidays as well.
The tradition of granting state funerals and national mourning extends to other prominent figures beyond Prime Ministers and Presidents. Previous examples include Chief Ministers like Jyoti Basu, Jayalalithaa, and M. Karunanidhi, along with several artists and personalities. The first state funeral and national mourning in independent India was for Mahatma Gandhi.
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