Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh died in Delhi on Thursday (December 26) at the age of 92, leaving the entire nation in mourning. Prominent political figures including President Draupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed their heartfelt condolences on the demise of the former Prime Minister. Upon his demise, the Centre cancelled all government programmes scheduled on Friday, December 27. Additionally, a period of seven days – December 26 to January 1 – will be observed as national mourning in honour of the former Prime Minister. Showing solidarity with the mourning period, the Congress party also postponed all its official programmes for the next week.
Funeral date and time
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal confirmed that Dr Singh’s funeral will take place on Saturday, December 28 and his cremation will be done with full state honours. “Dr Manmohan Singh’s funeral will take place day after tomorrow, i.e. on Saturday,” Venugopal said late on Thursday. On Friday, Dr Singh’s body will be kept at his residence at 3, Motilal Nehru Road, New Delhi, so that the general public can offer their condolences.
Reason for delay in funeral
Though Dr Manmohan Singh died on Thursday, his funeral will be held on Saturday due to the arrival date of his daughter. Sources said Singh’s daughter, who lives in the US, will reach Delhi late Friday night, after which the funeral preparations will begin. It is common for family members to be present at funerals, and this is the reason why the funeral ceremony is being rescheduled for Saturday. Details of funeral procession According to sources, the general public will be given an opportunity to pay their last respects at the Congress headquarters between 8 am and 10 am on Saturday. This will be followed by a funeral procession, in which Dr Singh’s body will be taken to the designated site for cremation.
Funeral venue
Traditionally, former prime ministers are cremated at designated locations in Delhi. According to sources, several former prime ministers, including Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, were cremated at Rajghat, the national memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi.
The government follows a formal protocol for the cremation of all former prime ministers. As per tradition, Dr Singh’s body will be draped in the national flag (tricolour) before the cremation. Also, a 21-gun salute will be given as a mark of respect. National mourning has been declared, during which the national flag will fly at half-mast across the country. There will be no public gatherings or official functions during this mourning period. The public will also get an opportunity to have a last glimpse of him during the state protocol, allowing the nation to bid a final farewell to its former leader.
Dr Singh was ailing for some time, and as of now, his body has been kept at his residence. His family is overseeing the final arrangements, while the government is closely involved in the process and ensuring that proper protocol is followed for the former prime minister.