India bid farewell to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday with a state funeral that included full military honors and a ceremonial gun salute.
Singh, credited as a key architect of India’s economic liberalization in the early 1990s, passed away on Thursday at the age of 92.
According to the AFP, President Draupadi Murmu led the tributes, alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top dignitaries, including Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who described Singh as a “mentor and guide,” joined his family in prayer during the cremation rites.
“Dr. Singh was one of India’s most distinguished leaders,” Modi remarked, reflecting on Singh’s contributions to the nation.
President Murmu noted his “unblemished political life and utmost humility,” adding that his service would be remembered for generations.
The funeral procession, attended by mourners from across the country, began at the Congress Party headquarters in New Delhi, where Singh’s flower-adorned coffin was displayed with a guard of honor.
The cortege then moved through the capital’s streets to the cremation grounds, flanked by military personnel.
US President Joe Biden also paid tribute, describing Singh as a “true statesman” who forged paths of progress that would benefit India and the global community for years to come.
Born in 1932 in Gah, now part of Pakistan, Singh rose from humble beginnings to become one of India’s most influential economists.
After completing his education at Cambridge and Oxford, he served in prominent roles, including as India’s central bank governor and as finance minister under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao.
As finance minister in 1991, Singh played a pivotal role in rescuing India from a severe financial crisis. Despite his technocratic background and lack of prior electoral experience, he was chosen by the Congress Party as its candidate for prime minister in 2004.
During his decade-long tenure, Singh presided over a period of rapid economic growth, achieving an impressive 9% GDP expansion during his first term.
He also negotiated a historic nuclear agreement with the United States, aimed at addressing India’s growing energy demands.
However, his second term was marred by corruption scandals, slowing economic growth, and rising inflation.
These challenges, combined with discontent over leadership within the Congress Party, paved the way for Modi’s decisive election victory in 2014.
“Dr. Singh was a man of quiet dignity and monumental achievements,” Rahul Gandhi reflected. “His vision and commitment to eradicating poverty inspired generations of Indians.”
