State Funeral Held for Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Architect of India's Economic Reforms

Preview

Preview

The state funeral for former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was a pivotal figure in India's economic reforms, began in New Delhi on December 28, 2024. Singh, who passed away at the age of 92 on December 26, 2024, was honored with a full state funeral due to his significant contributions to the nation.

Manmohan Singh's body was taken to the headquarters of his Congress party in New Delhi, where party leaders and activists paid their tributes. The funeral procession then proceeded to Nigambodh Ghat, where his last rites were performed with full state honors at 11:45 am. The event was attended by prominent leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries, who recognized Singh's profound impact on India's economic landscape and his service to the nation.

Singh's tenure as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 was marked by several key reforms, including the Right to Information Act, rural employment guarantees, and the Indo-US nuclear deal. However, his second term was overshadowed by corruption scandals and economic challenges, which contributed to the Congress party's electoral losses in 2014.

Manmohan Singh is widely credited with initiating and overseeing India's economic liberalization in 1991 during his time as Finance Minister under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao. His bold economic reforms dismantled the license-permit raj, embraced fiscal prudence, and ushered in liberalization, privatization, and globalization. These policies laid the foundation for decades of robust economic growth in India.

His death has triggered an outpouring of grief and tributes from around the world, highlighting his legacy as a visionary leader who reshaped India's economic destiny and maintained unwavering integrity throughout his career.