The mortal remains of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be placed at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in Delhi for the public to pay their respects, Congress sources said on Friday.
According to party sources, the ‘last darshan’ is scheduled for Saturday from 8:00 to 10:00 AM. Senior leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, will pay their respects at the AICC office before the final rites are performed. Singh, renowned for spearheading India’s 1991 economic liberalisation reforms as Finance Minister, will be cremated near Rajghat, the designated site for the last rites of Prime Ministers.
Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit said on Friday morning that the schedule for public viewing had not yet been finalised. “The schedule will be determined after the arrival of the former PM’s daughter from abroad. She is expected to arrive in the afternoon or evening, and the last rites may take place tomorrow,” he said, adding that delays were also caused by inclement weather.
Prominent politicians and personalities from various fields have expressed their sorrow over the passing of Manmohan Singh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his condolences on Thursday night, stating that India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders.
Dr. Singh passed away on Thursday evening at AIIMS, Delhi, at the age of 92 due to age-related health complications. He reportedly lost consciousness at home and was rushed to the hospital.
Born on September 26, 1932, Dr. Singh was an accomplished economist and served as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India from 1982 to 1985. As the 13th Prime Minister of India, he held office from 2004 to 2014.
Dr. Singh is widely credited for his role in implementing the 1991 economic reforms under PV Narasimha Rao’s government, which opened up the Indian economy to foreign investment, increased FDI, and reduced government control, thereby driving significant economic growth.
His tenure as Prime Minister also saw the introduction of landmark initiatives such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the Right to Information Act (RTI) in 2005, both of which contributed to social welfare and government transparency.
Dr. Singh retired from the Rajya Sabha earlier this year, capping an illustrious 33-year tenure in the Upper House.
