Indian state funeral for former PM Manmohan Singh

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AFP/APP

New Delhi: Mourners gathered in India’s capital on Saturday to pay their respects to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ahead of his state funeral. Singh, who served as the country’s prime minister from 2004 to 2014, passed away on Thursday at the age of 92. Following his death, seven days of state mourning were declared in his honor.

Singh’s coffin, draped in garlands of flowers, was flanked by a guard of honor and carried to the Congress Party headquarters in New Delhi. It will later be taken through the capital for cremation, accompanied by a military procession and full state honors.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is expected to attend the funeral, praised Singh as one of India’s “most distinguished leaders.”

Opposition Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed deep sorrow, saying he had lost “a mentor and guide” and acknowledging Singh’s “immense wisdom and integrity” in leading India. US President Joe Biden also paid tribute, calling Singh a “true statesman” who charted a course for progress that would benefit both nations and the world for generations to come.

Singh, a technocrat with a quiet demeanor, was credited with overseeing India’s economic boom during his first term. However, his second term saw economic challenges, including corruption scandals and high inflation, leading to his declining popularity.

His unpopularity, combined with Rahul Gandhi’s ineffective leadership, contributed to the landslide victory of Narendra Modi in 2014.

Born in 1932 in the village of Gah (now in Pakistan), Singh pursued a career in economics to combat poverty in India. He earned scholarships to Cambridge and Oxford, where he earned a first in economics and a doctorate, respectively.

Singh served in various senior civil service roles and as India’s central bank governor before being appointed finance minister in 1991 by then-Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, where he played a key role in steering the country through a financial crisis.

In 2004, Singh was chosen by the Congress Party to become the prime minister despite never having held an elected office. Under his leadership, India’s economy experienced rapid growth, and he also brokered a landmark nuclear deal with the United States to address India’s energy needs.

President Droupadi Murmu described Singh as a man who would “always be remembered for his service to the nation, his unblemished political life, and his utmost humility.”

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