National: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his last respects to former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at his residence in Delhi on Friday, following Singh’s passing on Thursday evening at the age of 92 due to age-related health complications.
Modi offered condolences to Singh’s family, joining a wave of leaders and citizens mourning the loss of one of India’s most distinguished statesmen.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Health Minister JP Nadda, and Congress leaders including KC Venugopal were among the prominent figures who visited Singh’s residence to honour his memory. Dr Singh, who was admitted to AIIMS Delhi after a sudden loss of consciousness at home, is remembered as a transformative figure in India’s economic and political history.
As a tribute, the mortal remains of Dr Singh will be displayed at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in Delhi on Saturday morning from 8:00 am to 10:00 am, allowing the public to pay their last respects. Senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi are expected to lead the homage before the last rites are conducted at Rajghat, the traditional cremation site for Indian Prime Ministers.
Leaders across the political spectrum have expressed profound grief over Singh’s passing. Prime Minister Modi called him “one of India’s most distinguished leaders,” acknowledging his enduring impact on the nation. Dr Manmohan Singh, born on September 26, 1932, served as India’s 13th Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, making him the longest-serving Prime Minister after Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.
Singh’s legacy as a reformer is particularly celebrated for his pivotal role in India’s 1991 economic liberalisation during his tenure as Finance Minister under Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao. His policies opened the Indian economy to global markets, encouraging foreign investment and reducing government control, which spurred unprecedented economic growth. As Prime Minister, his government introduced landmark social policies, including the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and the Right to Information Act (RTI), both of which enhanced transparency, accountability, and social welfare.
Earlier this year, Dr Singh retired from the Rajya Sabha after a remarkable 33 years of service, leaving behind an indelible mark on India’s legislative and economic framework. His passing marks the end of an era, with his contributions continuing to shape India’s development and progress.
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