North News
New Delhi, December 27
The final rites of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, who passed away on Thursday, are scheduled to take place at Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi on Saturday at 11:45 am, the Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed.He was born in Gah, located in present-day Pakistan’s Chakwal district, and migrated to India with his family during Partition. Dr. Singh rose from humble beginnings to lead India through a period of transformative economic reforms. A scholar of economics, he studied at Cambridge and Oxford before joining public service. Dr. Singh retired from the Rajya Sabha earlier this year, marking the end of a distinguished 33-year political career.
Dr. Singh was widely celebrated for his economic reforms as Finance Minister in the early 1990s, which liberalised India’s economy and set it on a path of sustained growth. As Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, he oversaw key milestones such as the Indo-US nuclear deal and India’s active participation in global forums like BRICS and the G20.
Despite his achievements, Dr. Singh faced personal and professional challenges. His daughter Daman Singh’s memoir, Strictly Personal, recounts his modest upbringing, academic struggles, and resilience. The book highlights his transition from an uncertain pre-medical student to a globally recognised economist and statesman.
Dr. Singh’s tenure as Prime Minister also focused on strengthening foreign relations, including landmark agreements with Bangladesh and Afghanistan. His contributions to global diplomacy, including his “Manmohan Doctrine,” reshaped India’s engagement with the world.
The government has declared a week of national mourning, with flags at half-mast to honour his legacy.
