Government releases facts about former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s memorial

An art teacher paints portraits of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh outside the Gurukul art school as a memorial to those who died last night, Mumbai, Friday, Dis. 27, 2024. Singh, India’s economic reformer, died in New. Delhi on Thursday night. He was 92 years old. | Photo Credit: PTI

The government has decided to allot land for the memorial of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Friday.

According to MHA, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, immediately after the Cabinet meeting, communicated with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge that the Government will allocate a memorial site.

“This morning, the Government received a request to allot a memorial site for former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, to the Party President,” read the MHA statement.

“Immediately after the Cabinet meeting, Home Minister Amit Shah communicated with Congress President Kharge and the family of late Dr Manmohan Singh that the Government will allot a memorial site. Meanwhile, cremation and other rituals are possible because a trust must be created and there must be a place for it,” he added.

Earlier in the day, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah over the phone and asked for the funeral of Dr. Manmohan Singh at a place where his memorial can be built, according to India Post. National Congress on X.

“I am writing this in the context of the tragic death of Dr. Manmohan Singh, the former Prime Minister of India. We are sending our phone conversation this morning, where I have asked to hold the last rites of Dr. Manmohan Singh, which will be held tomorrow ie 28th December 2024, at his final resting place which will be a sacred place for the memory of the great son of India. This is in line with the tradition of having memorials for leaders of countries and former Prime Ministers where they are buried,” wrote Mr. Kharge in his book.

The President of the Congress emphasized that Dr. Manmohan Singh has a very respected place in the mind of the country and the people of this nation.

“Although his contributions and achievements are amazing, I like to stay here for some of his important achievements. His expertise in economic and financial matters comes from his extensive experience as Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India and various other capacities in various organisations,” said Mr Kharge.

“The respect and reverence world leaders had for Dr. Manmohan Singh proves this fact. His wise counsel, leadership and his role in alleviating the global economic crisis were well received. As I remember, President Obama when he was the President of the US spoke about Dr. Singh noted that

“Whenever the Prime Minister of India speaks, the whole world listens to him,” he added.

Mr. Kharge recalled the role of Dr. Singh as the Minister of Finance during the great economic crisis in India, and said “It was Manmohan Singh as the Minister of Finance, who brought India out of this crisis and led the country to economic prosperity and stability. The nation today is reaping the benefits of the strong foundations of the economy they are building.”

Mr. Kharge further said that the memorial will be a fitting memorial to the leader who rose from the beginning to become a great statesman.

“Due to what has been said, I hope and trust that in accordance with the condition of Dr. Manmohan Singh, the above request to have Dr. Manmohan Singh’s funeral at a place where his memorial can be built will be approved,” concluded Kharge.

The last rites of Dr Manmohan Singh will be performed at Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi on Saturday afternoon.

“Dr Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister passed away at 9.51 PM on December 26, 2024 at AllMS Hospital, New Delhi. The government has decided that a State funeral will be given to Dr. Manmohan Singh. The funeral will be held at 11:45 AM on December 28, 2024 at Nigambodh Ghat, New Delhi. The Ministry of Defense is requested to make arrangements for a State funeral with full military honors,” the MHA said.

Dr Manmohan Singh died at AIIMS, Delhi, on Thursday at the age of 92 due to age-related health conditions. He fainted at home after which he was rushed to the hospital.

Dr. Singh’s political career spanned several decades, with notable positions including Finance Minister from 1991 to 1996, where he led economic reforms that transformed the Indian economy. He served as the 13th Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014, succeeding Atal Bihari Vajpayee. His tenure is best remembered for his strong leadership during the economic crisis and his contributions to the development of the Indian economy.

After his second term, Dr. Singh retired from public service, leading India to a period of unprecedented growth and international recognition. He was succeeded by Narendra Modi in 2014 after the Congress-led UPA lost the general elections.