India Honors Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with State Funeral

India bid farewell to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday with a state funeral in New Delhi, following his passing at the age of 92. Singh, remembered as a key architect of India’s economic liberalization, served as the nation’s leader from 2004 to 2014.

The somber ceremony began with Singh’s flower-garlanded coffin flanked by a guard of honor at the Congress Party headquarters. The procession will take the late leader’s body through the capital, culminating in cremation with full state honors.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Singh as “one of India’s most distinguished leaders,” while opposition leader Rahul Gandhi called him “a mentor and guide,” highlighting his wisdom and integrity. U.S. President Joe Biden described Singh as a “true statesman” whose contributions would resonate for generations.

Born in 1932 in Gah, now in Pakistan, Singh’s journey from humble beginnings to academia and politics was remarkable. Educated at Cambridge and Oxford, Singh built an illustrious career as an economist, serving as India’s central bank governor and holding senior roles in global institutions before entering politics.

In 1991, Singh was appointed finance minister during a critical economic crisis, where his reforms set India on a path to modernization. As prime minister, he oversaw an era of rapid economic growth and brokered a landmark nuclear deal with the United States.

Despite these achievements, Singh’s second term was marred by corruption scandals and economic challenges, contributing to his party’s electoral defeat in 2014.

President Droupadi Murmu remembered Singh for his “service to the nation, unblemished political life, and utmost humility,” sentiments echoed across political and public domains.

Seven days of state mourning have been declared in honor of Singh, a leader whose legacy will endure as a cornerstone of modern India’s development.