FROM THE KING of Bhutan to the Palestinian envoy to the Congress worker from Rae Bareli who took a bus and train to reach Delhi, people came from far and wide to bid a final farewell to former prime minister Manmohan Singh.
Singh's mortal remains were consigned to the flames at the Nigambodh Ghat Saturday. His wife Gursharan Kaur and their three daughters were present as people paid their last tribute.
Dignitaries there included President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, defence minister Rajnath Singh, home minister Amit Shah, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and Leaders of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi.
In the morning, Singh's final journey began from his house on Motilal Nehru Road, stopping at the AICC headquarters on Akbar Road.
At the AICC headquarters, party workers, dignitaries, including those from other countries, and the general public had gathered to catch a glimpse of the man who fought hardship to get an education, opened India to the world before becoming its prime minister for two consecutive terms.
Despite the hundreds gathered there, silence enveloped the AICC headquarters. Party workers queued up, in a winding line, each holding a white gladiolus flower. As the convoy carrying Dr Singh's mortal remains, placed on a truck adorned with marigold flowers, made its way to the Nigambodh Ghat, a long trail of cars followed.Many others chose to follow on foot, running to keep pace, not wanting to be left behind. Residents of jhuggi-jhopdi clusters and government flats stepped out of their homes to watch. Those stuck in traffic left their cars, many taking photographs to capture the moment.Along queue of people waited near India Gate.
Even while raising slogans such as 'Manmohan Singh amar rahe' and 'Jab tak suraj chand rahega, Manmohan tera naam rahega', people seemed subdued, mournful emotional tribute to a leader whose legacy transcended politics.
This story is from the December 29, 2024 edition of Financial Express Mumbai.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 29, 2024 edition of Financial Express Mumbai.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Microsoft to spend $80 billion on AI data centers this year
MICROSOFT CORP PLANS to spend $80 billion this fiscal year building out data centers, underscoring the intense capital requirements of artificial intelligence.
S Korea investigators ask acting prez to clear way for Yoon's arrest
SOUTH KOREAN INVESTIGATORS again asked the country's acting president on Saturday to order the presidential security service to comply with an arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Chinese Dam on Table for Sullivan's India Visit
AI, civilian nuclear cooperation, space may also be taken up
Mike Johnson Re-elected US House Speaker
Republican Congressman Mike Johnson on Friday was re-elected as Speaker of the US House of Representatives with a narrow victory margin of three votes.
No jail time for Trump, suggests judge in US hush money case
Will keep fighting, says communications director Cheung
Border-Gavaskar Trophy: As Bumrah leaves, 'captain' Kohli calls the shots
Kohli took charge after Bumrah left bowling due to spasm
Rohit clears the air: Not going anywhere
Says those on outside can't influence when he stops playing
Worrying signs from the Arctic
Scientists say fires in the region could have major consequences
Big rockets, a telescope & big changes in space await in 2025
Some key events to look forward to in space & astronomy
Dr Manmohan Singh, RIP
The present generation (born after 1991) scarcely believes that there was an India with one television channel, one car, one airline, one telephone service provider, trunk calls, PCO/STD/ISD booths and long waiting lists for everything from two-wheelers to train tickets to passports. The seeds of change were sowed by Dr Singh, a fact belatedly acknowledged by Prime Minister Modi's tribute to him and the Cabinet resolution.
