India Pays Tribute to Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at State Funeral

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India held a state funeral in New Delhi for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away at the age of 92 late on Thursday due to age-related conditions. Singh was honored with full military honors, including a 21-gun salute, as his coffin, draped in the national flag and adorned with rose petals, was transported through the city on a ceremonial army truck.

Tributes poured in from the public, political leaders, and international dignitaries, with many lining the rainy streets to pay their respects. Demonstrating his enduring legacy, supporters chanted slogans in his honor as his body was moved from the Congress party headquarters to the cremation grounds along the Yamuna River.

Current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who succeeded Singh, attended the funeral and declared a period of national mourning. Singh's family, along with notable political figures, accompanied the procession, culminating in a cremation overseen by Singh's eldest daughter, Upinder.

Singh, often referred to as India’s “reluctant prime minister,” served from 2004 to 2014 and was renowned for his role in liberalizing India's economy in the 1990s. His tenure was marked by significant economic growth, as well as challenges including corruption scandals that eventually tarnished his administration's reputation.

Global leaders also paid tribute to Singh, with various notable figures, including French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, acknowledging his contributions to India and the international community.

India remembers Singh not only for his economic reforms but also for his humility and leadership during pivotal moments in the country's history.

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