The body of Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India, was cremated on Saturday (28) on the banks of the Yamuna River, in New Delhi, with full state honors. The death generated expressions of grief in the country and praise for the leader abroad.
The funeral was held in the Sikh tradition, while priests sang hymns, and, draped in the Indian flag, was carried through the capital in a carriage decorated with flowers, pulled by a ceremonial army truck.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accompanied Singh’s family in the truck to the Nigambodh Ghat cremation site after the procession from the party headquarters in New Delhi, where people joined Congress party leaders and members to pay their respects. last tributes. Singh’s body was covered with a saffron cloth before being placed on the pyre in a crematorium.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who called Singh one of the country’s “most distinguished leaders” after his death, attended the funeral, along with President Draupadi Murmu and representatives from several countries.
The Modi government has decided to allocate land for Singh’s memorial.
Described as a “reluctant king” in his first stint as prime minister, Manmohan Singh is considered one of India’s most successful leaders. He led the country between 2004 and 2014.
