Sat Dec 28 06:35:24 UTC 2024: ## Nation Mourns Passing of Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

**New Delhi, December 27, 2024** – India is in mourning following the death of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at the age of 92. Singh, who passed away Thursday evening at AIIMS hospital in Delhi after a health deterioration, will be accorded a state funeral with full state honours on Saturday at 11:45 am at Nigambodh Ghat crematorium.

The government has announced a seven-day period of national mourning, with the national flag flown at half-mast. All official entertainment programs have been cancelled. A memorial for the former Prime Minister is also to be constructed, with the government allocating space for its creation.

Singh’s body will lie in state at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters from 8:30 am to 9:30 am Saturday, allowing the public and Congress workers to pay their respects. His final journey to the crematorium will begin at 9:30 am.

High-profile figures from across the political spectrum and international leaders have expressed their condolences. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, and numerous other dignitaries visited Singh’s residence Friday to pay their respects. Tributes have poured in from across the globe, including the US, Canada, France, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Malaysia, and others.

Controversy has arisen over the chosen location for the cremation, with some Congress leaders expressing disappointment that it wasn’t at a site more befitting a former prime minister. Despite requests from the family, the government reportedly declined their request to hold the funeral and last rites at a location where a memorial could be built, sparking criticism.

Singh’s legacy as the architect of India’s 1991 economic reforms, which pulled the nation from the brink of bankruptcy, and his two terms as Prime Minister (2004-2014) are widely acknowledged. He is remembered for his quiet dignity, humility, and commitment to the nation’s progress. Numerous tributes highlight his contributions to India’s economic growth, social progress, and foreign policy, including the landmark Indo-US civil nuclear deal. The impact of his leadership and his commitment to economic reform will continue to shape India’s future.

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