India Declares Weeklong Mourning for Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

International news section 27-12-2024

India has announced a seven-day national mourning period and a state funeral to honor former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a key figure in the economic liberalization of the early 1990s. Singh, who served as prime minister from 2004 to 2014, passed away on Thursday at the age of 92 in a New Delhi hospital.

The government stated that the mourning period would last until January 1, with a state funeral planned to pay tribute to the late leader. While the exact date of the funeral was not immediately confirmed, a senior Congress party member indicated it would likely take place on Saturday. During this time, the national flag will be flown at half-mast on official buildings across the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Singh as one of India’s “most distinguished leaders,” and The Times of India honored him with a front-page headline describing him as “the man who liberated India’s dreams.” In a tribute from the sporting world, India’s cricket team wore black armbands during their match against Australia in Melbourne on Friday.

Manmohan Singh was born in 1932 in the small village of Gah, located in present-day Pakistan. Despite his modest origins, Singh pursued higher education in economics with the aim of addressing poverty in India. He earned scholarships to study at the prestigious University of Cambridge, where he graduated with first-class honors in economics, and later obtained a doctorate from Oxford University.

Over his career, Singh held various prominent positions, including central bank governor and roles in international organizations such as the United Nations. In 1991, he was appointed to address one of India’s most severe financial crises, a turning point that set the stage for his political and economic legacy.

As prime minister, Singh presided over a period of substantial economic growth and secured a historic nuclear agreement with the United States to support India’s energy demands. However, his tenure was not without challenges. His second term faced criticism due to major corruption scandals, economic slowdowns, and rising inflation. These issues, combined with ineffective leadership by Rahul Gandhi in the opposition, contributed to Narendra Modi’s sweeping electoral victory in 2014.

Singh’s legacy as a reformer and a leader who shaped India’s modern economic trajectory remains a significant chapter in the country’s history.