North News
New Delhi, December 27
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi were among the dignitaries who paid tribute to Dr. Singh at Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi. The mortal remains of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh were departed from the Congress headquarters in Delhi for the final rites at Nigambodh Ghat.
The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday passed a condolence resolution in memory of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, who passed away on December 26, 2024, at AIIMS New Delhi. The Cabinet paid tribute by observing a two-minute silence and declared a seven-day state mourning until January 1, 2025. During this period, the National Flag will fly at half-mast across India and at all Indian missions and high commissions abroad.
Dr. Singh will be accorded a state funeral, and on the day of the ceremony, a half-day holiday will be observed in all central government offices and Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs). In its resolution, the Cabinet highlighted Dr. Singh’s remarkable life, starting from his birth on September 26, 1932, in Gah, West Punjab in Pakistan.
Dr. Singh’s career saw him transition from academia to significant roles in economic governance, serving as Economic Adviser, Chief Economic Adviser, Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, and Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. As Finance Minister (1991–1996), he was instrumental in implementing economic reforms that transformed India. He served as Prime Minister for two consecutive terms from 2004 to 2014, leaving a lasting impact on the nation’s economic and political landscape. Dr. Singh retired from the Rajya Sabha earlier this year, marking the end of a distinguished 33-year political career.
The Cabinet acknowledged Dr. Singh’s contributions, including his receipt of prestigious honors such as the Padma Vibhushan and the Adam Smith Prize. Describing him as “an eminent statesman, renowned economist, and distinguished leader,” the Cabinet expressed its heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family, mourning the loss of a towering figure in Indian public life.
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.
His daughter Daman Singh’s memoir, Strictly Personal, sheds light on his modest upbringing and academic challenges, chronicling his journey from an unsure pre-medical student to a globally respected leader.
