Africa-Press – Ethiopia. Manmohan Singh, who passed away at the age of 92, was cremated with full military honors during a state funeral, as both politicians and citizens expressed their sorrow over his passing.
The esteemed leader, recognized as the architect of India’s economic reform initiatives, was honored following his death late Thursday.
Singh’s body was taken on Saturday morning to the headquarters of his Congress party in New Delhi, where party leaders and activists paid tribute to him and chanted “Manmohan Singh lives forever”.
Abhishek Bishnoi, a party leader, said Singh’s death was a big loss for the country. “He used to speak little, but his talent and his actions spoke louder than his words,” he said.
Later, Singh’s body was transported to a crematorium ground for his last rites as soldiers beat drums.
Government officials, politicians and family members paid their last respects to Singh, whose coffin was adorned with flowers and wrapped in the Indian flag. Security personnel honoured him with a ceremonial gun salute.
Indian President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who called Singh one of the country’s “most distinguished leaders”, as well as several cabinet ministers, participated in the funeral.
Singh’s body was then transferred to a pyre to the tune of religious hymns and cremated.
Authorities declared a seven-day mourning period and cancelled all cultural and entertainment events during that time. Government buildings across India are flying the national flag at half-mast.
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