Mourners in India’s capital gathered on Saturday to pay their respects to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, ahead of a state funeral for the man credited with driving the country’s economic liberalization.
Singh, who served as prime minister from 2004 to 2014, passed away at the age of 92 on Thursday. In response, the Indian government declared seven days of state mourning.
His coffin, draped in garlands of flowers, was accompanied by a guard of honor and carried to the Congress Party headquarters in New Delhi for public viewing.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is expected to attend the funeral alongside other national and international leaders, praised Singh as one of India’s “most distinguished leaders.”
Opposition Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who described Singh as “a mentor and guide,” added that the former prime minister had “led India with immense wisdom and integrity.”
US President Joe Biden also paid tribute, calling Singh a “true statesman” and noting that his legacy of “pathbreaking progress” would continue to strengthen both India and the world for generations to come.
A technocrat known for his understated approach, Singh is widely celebrated for his role in overseeing India’s economic boom during his first term in office. However, his second term was marred by corruption scandals, slowing growth, and high inflation.
Singh’s declining popularity during his second tenure, compounded by the lackluster leadership of Congress party scion Rahul Gandhi, contributed to the landslide victory of Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2014 elections.
A humble beginning, a lasting legacy
Born in 1932 in the small village of Gah in what is now Pakistan, Singh pursued economics with the goal of addressing poverty in India. He held a range of senior civil service positions and served as governor of India’s central bank before taking on prominent roles with international organizations, including the United Nations.
In 1991, then-Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao appointed Singh as finance minister to steer India through its worst financial crisis. Singh’s economic reforms during this period were pivotal in transforming India’s economic landscape.
Despite never having been elected to office, Singh was chosen by the Congress Party as their candidate for prime minister in 2004. In his first term, he successfully guided the country to a period of nine percent growth, elevating India’s status on the global stage.
He also played a key role in negotiating a historic nuclear deal with the United States, which he argued would help India meet its growing energy demands.
President Droupadi Murmu praised Singh, stating that he would “always be remembered for his service to the nation, his unblemished political life, and his utmost humility.”
As India bids farewell to a statesman who shaped its modern trajectory, the legacy of Manmohan Singh remains deeply etched in the nation’s history.
AFP
