Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is described as India’s architect for India’s economic reforms, passed away on Thursday night at 92. The ex-PM was also Rajya Sabha member from Assam for five consecutive terms from 1991 to 2019.
His residential address in Guwahati was a rented ground-floor apartment in the house of former Assam Chief Minister Hiteswar Saikia in the Sarumotoria area.
The Assam government has declared a seven-day state mourning in honour of Manmohan Singh. The national flag will fly at half mast at all state government establishments and all official entertainment programmes are cancelled.
The state mourning, beginning from December 12 will last till January 1, 2025, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
Meanwhile, the Union Home Ministry has announced a seven-day state mourning will be observed throughout the country as a mark of respect to former prime minister Manmohan Singh. The national flag will be flown at half-mast across India, the ministry said.
In a communication to all chief secretaries of state and union territories on Thursday, the home ministry also said that a state funeral will be accorded to Singh and there will be no official entertainment during the period of state mourning.
Political leaders across party lines in Assam on Thursday condoled the death of former prime minister Manmohan Singh and said he embodied humility and would be remembered for his exemplary public service and contribution to the country’s development.
Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya said the news of the demise of the former PM is extremely sad.
“His gentleness, decency and his contribution in strengthening the Indian economy on the global platform will always be remembered. May God grant peace and salvation to the departed soul,” he added.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who had worked closely with Singh as a Congress minister, said that the former PM embodied humility and never surrendered to the trappings of power.
“I have had the privilege of knowing Dr Manmohan Singh ji since 1991, when he was first elected to the Rajya Sabha from Assam – a state he represented for 28 years. Dr Sahab embodied humility and never surrendered to the trappings of power. In all my interactions with him, his simplicity and decency combined with his intellectual prowess always stood out,” Sarma said in a post on X.
Sarma uploaded pictures of his Congress stint in which he shared frames with Singh.
The Assam CM further said that a generation of Indians will always remember Singh’s pivotal role in ushering in a free market economy and “ending decades of regressive socialist policies”.
“In his demise, the nation has lost a great patriot, an exceptional scholar, an unconventional politician and a fine statesman. My deepest condolences to Gursharan Madam, his family and well-wishers,” Sarma wrote.
Union Ports, Shipping & Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that Singh embodied the spirit of humility, scholarship and played a key role in India’s economic resurgence in a difficult period.
“His policies for the welfare of the people were far-reaching and he remained a significant figure in the nation’s public life. His passing away leaves a void in our political sphere and I offer my deepest condolences to his family and well-wishers. May his soul find eternal peace,” Sonowal added.