AMN / NEW DELHI
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to conduct the last rites of former PM Manmohan Singh at a place where a memorial can be built.
He wrote the letter after speaking to Modi about setting up a memorial for Singh, who was a two-term prime minister revered by the people of the country.
“Apropos our telephonic conversation today morning, wherein I made a request to hold Dr Manmohan Singh’s last rites, which will take place tomorrow i.e. 28th December 2024, at his final resting place that would be a sacrosanct venue for memorial of the great son of India.
“This is in keeping with such tradition of having memorials of statesmen and former Prime Ministers at the very place of their funerals,” Kharge said in his two-page letter.
The Congress chief said Dr Manmohan Singh holds a highly revered place in the psyche of the country and the people of this nation, and his contributions and achievements were phenomenal.
Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s last rites will be performed tomorrow. His final journey will commence from Congress headquarters in New Delhi to the cremation ground at Nigambodh Ghat at 9:30 AM. Dr. Manmohan Singh will be accorded a state funeral at 11:45 AM. In the morning, his mortal remains will be taken to the Congress office from his residence, and the public and party workers will have the opportunity to offer their tributes.
State mourning has been declared for seven days till 1st January. During this mourning period, the national flag is being flown at half-mast throughout the country. The national flag is also being flown at half-mast in all the Indian missions and high commissions abroad. Tomorrow, a half-day holiday will be observed in all the Central Government offices and CPSUs.
Meanwhile, the Union Cabinet has expressed condolences over the demise of the former Prime Minister, saying that in his passing away, the nation has lost an eminent statesman, renowned economist, and a distinguished leader. It also passed a condolence resolution in the memory of Dr. Manmohan Singh and paid homage by observing a two-minute silence. The resolution said that Dr. Manmohan Singh has left his imprint on national life. It added that Dr. Manmohan Singh served as India’s finance minister between 1991 and 1996, and his role in ushering in a comprehensive policy of economic reforms is well recognized. The resolution also highlighted his academic as well as his career in government and public life.
The Congress Working Committee, CWC, today adopted a condolence resolution at the passing away of Dr. Manmohan Singh. The Party has mourned the loss of Dr Singh, saying his life and work profoundly shaped the destiny of India. The resolution expressed a commitment to uphold the former Prime Minister’s values towards building a more prosperous, united India, just as he envisioned.