State Funeral for Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Held with Full Honors in Delhi

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Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was cremated with full state honors at Nigambodh Ghat in Delhi on December 28, 2024. The funeral was a significant event, attended by numerous dignitaries and marked by several honors to commemorate his contributions to India.

The day began with his mortal remains being brought to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters, where party leaders, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, General Secretary Sonia Gandhi, and MP Rahul Gandhi, paid their respects. His wife, Gursharan Kaur, and one of his daughters also laid wreaths on his body.

The final journey from the AICC headquarters to Nigambodh Ghat was a solemn procession, with his daughter lighting the funeral pyre. The event was attended by President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, and other top leaders. Foreign dignitaries, including the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, and Mauritius Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful, also paid their tributes.

Dr. Singh's death was mourned across the country, with a seven-day national mourning period declared, during which the national flag flew at half-mast. The Union Home Ministry announced plans to allocate space for a memorial honoring Dr. Singh, following a request from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and the Singh family.

Dr. Singh, who served as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, was widely regarded as the architect of India's economic reforms. His tenure saw significant growth and development, and he was also credited with landmark achievements such as the Indo-US nuclear deal. Despite facing financial scandals and corruption charges during his second term, his contributions to the nation were widely recognized and honored during his state funeral.