In brief
India has bid farewell to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with a state funeral in Delhi, following his death at the age of 92. Singh, who served from 2004 to 2014, was instrumental in steering India's economic liberalization and development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the funeral, emphasizing Singh's significant contributions and character.
Mourners filled the streets of the capital to pay their last respects as Singh's body, draped in the national flag, was taken through the city. The ceremony included full state honors and a 21-gun salute, with Singh's daughter performing the final rites at the cremation grounds. Among those present were President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and various foreign dignitaries, underscoring the global impact of Singh’s leadership. Tributes from leaders around the world highlighted Singh's role in forging India’s international relations, with U.S. President Joe Biden recognizing his "strategic vision." Singh was not only a key architect of economic reform but also the first Sikh to serve as Prime Minister of India. His tenure was marked by significant advancements in poverty reduction and economic growth, despite later controversies that plagued his second term.A key figure in modern Indian history, Singh is commemorated for his humility and wisdom, leaving behind a legacy that reshaped a nation.Singh's economic reforms transformed India's growth trajectory. He famously stated during his first budget speech, “No power on Earth can stop an idea whose time has come.” His era as finance minister and later as prime minister is remembered for lifting millions out of poverty, ensuring India’s position among the world’s fastest-growing economies.
