India Bids Farewell To Former PM Dr Manmohan Singh, Cremated At Delhi's Nigambodh Ghat; Tributes Pour

Dr Manmohan Singh, one of India's most respected statesmen and a towering figure in the country's economic and political arena, was laid to rest at Nigambodh Ghat in Delhi. The former Prime Minister passed away at the age of 92 on Thursday due to age-related medical conditions.

Final Journey
Dr Singh's final journey began at 9:30 am from the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters, where party leaders and workers gathered to pay their respects. The funeral was attended by a host of dignitaries, including President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Home Minister Amit Shah. International figures such as Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck were also present to honour the leader's contributions.

Special prayer ceremonies were held in Bhutan, with its national flags flown at half-mast in solidarity with India. Similarly, Mauritius observed mourning by lowering its flags at state institutions until sunset on Saturday.

Legacy of Leadership
Dr Manmohan Singh served as India's Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, leading the nation through a decade of economic growth and global prominence. His tenure as Finance Minister under Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao in 1991 is often regarded as a turning point in India's economic history. He is credited with ushering in reforms that liberalized the economy and set the stage for decades of growth.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor reflected on Dr Singh's legacy, quoting his memorable statement made just weeks before leaving office in 2014: "I honestly believe history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media or for that matter, the Opposition parties in Parliament." Tharoor noted that even ten years later, this assertion is being validated.

Leaders across party lines echoed similar sentiments. BJP MP Naveen Jindal described Dr Singh as "one of the greatest leaders" who implemented several reforms that transformed the nation. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy hailed him as "one of the greatest economists, leaders, reformers, and above all, a humanitarian of our times."

Personal Anecdotes
Even amidst his monumental achievements, Dr Singh was known for his quiet demeanour and love for books. A former employee of Mumbai's iconic Strand Book Stall recalled his visits during his tenure as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. "Many of us have seen him at the store at lunchtime in those days," shared T. Jagath.

Memorial Debate
While tributes poured in from across the globe, a political row emerged over the demand for a memorial at Dr Singh's cremation site. Congress leaders urged the government to honour Dr Singh with a memorial, similar to those for other former Prime Ministers. The Centre, however, criticized the demand as "dirty politics," adding a contentious undertone to the solemn proceedings.