The body of Manmohan Singh, the former Indian prime minister whose death has sparked outpourings of grief at home and accolades from abroad, was cremated on Sunday on the banks of the Yamuna River in New Delhi with full state honours. The funeral was conducted in the Sikh tradition as priests chanted hymns, after Singh’s body, draped in the Indian flag, was carried through the capital on a flower-decked carriage pulled by a ceremonial army truck.
The flag was removed and the body covered with a saffron cloth before it was placed on the pyre. Since Singh died on Thursday at 92, many have taken up his comment near the end of his 10-year rule that “history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media”.
He was referring to a perception of weak leadership as he headed a coalition government facing numerous charges of corruption, which was thrown out of office in the 2014 election won by his successor Narendra Modi.
Modi, who called Singh one of the nation’s “most distinguished leaders” after his death, attended the funeral, along with President Droupadi Murmu and representatives of various countries. Modi’s government has decided to allocate land for Singh’s memorial.
Singh, considered the architect of India’s economic liberalisation, had criticised Modi’s economic policies such as demonetisation and introducing a goods and services tax.
Singh is survived by his wife and three daughters.
Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi accompanied Singh’s family on the truck to the Nigambodh Ghat cremation site after the procession from party headquarters in New Delhi, where people joined Congress party leaders and members to pay their last respects.
The leaders of the U.S., Canada, France, Sri Lanka, China and Pakistan were among those expressing grief at Singh’s death and highlighting his international contributions.
Key Points:
- Cremation of Manmohan Singh: Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was cremated with full state honors on the banks of the Yamuna River in New Delhi.
- Sikh Funeral Traditions: The ceremony adhered to Sikh customs, including hymn chanting by priests. Singh’s body was initially draped with the Indian flag, then covered with a saffron cloth for the cremation.
- National and International Grief: Singh’s death led to widespread mourning in India and accolades from foreign leaders, reflecting his significant international standing.
- Political Legacy: Singh’s tenure was marked by economic liberalization but also by perceptions of weak leadership and corruption scandals. His comment about history being kinder to him than the media has been widely quoted.
- Attendance by High Officials: Current PM Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and other dignitaries attended the funeral, highlighting Singh’s respected status.
- Memorial Plans: The Modi government announced plans to allocate land for a memorial in honor of Singh.
- Economic Criticisms: Despite past political differences, Singh had critiqued some of Modi’s economic policies.
- Family and Procession: Singh is survived by his wife and daughters. Rahul Gandhi joined the family in the funeral procession from the Congress party headquarters.
- Global Tributes: Leaders from the U.S., Canada, France, Sri Lanka, China, and Pakistan among others, expressed their condolences, recognizing Singh’s global contributions.
