In brief
The funeral, attended by dignitaries and mourners, celebrates Singh's legacy as the architect of India's economic reforms.
India came together in mourning for its former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away at the age of 92. A full state funeral was held in Delhi, attended by current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who praised Singh as one of the nation’s "most distinguished leaders.” Thousands of citizens lined the streets as Singh's coffin, adorned with flowers and draped in the Indian flag, made its way to the cremation grounds, accompanied by military honors and a 21-gun salute. His eldest daughter lit the funeral pyre in a ceremony attended by senior political figures, including President Droupadi Murmu and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who described Singh as a mentor.Tributes poured in from around the world, with US President Joe Biden highlighting Singh’s strategic vision that strengthened US-India relations. Singh was notably the first Sikh Prime Minister and played a pivotal role in transforming India's economy during his tenure from 2004 to 2014.Despite facing tumult in his second term due to corruption allegations, Singh's legacy of lifting millions out of poverty through economic reforms marked him as a pivotal figure in modern India, forever remembered by both supporters and opponents.
