Manmohan Singh, the former Indian Prime Minister Widely seen as the architect of the country’s economic reform program, he was cremated after a state funeral on Saturday as politicians and the public mourned his death.
The veteran leader, who was also credited with a groundbreaking nuclear deal with the United States, died late Thursday at age 92.
Singh’s body was taken to his Congress party’s headquarters in New Delhi on Saturday morning, where party leaders and activists paid tribute to him and chanted “Manmohan Singh lives forever.”
Abhishek Bishnoi, a party leader, said Singh’s death was a big loss for the country. “He used to speak little, but his talent and actions spoke louder than his words,” he said.
Later, Singh’s body was transported to a crematorium for his final rites as soldiers beat drums.
Government officials, politicians and family members paid their last respects to Singh, whose coffin was decorated with flowers and draped in the Indian flag. Security forces honored him with a ceremonial gun salute.
The funeral was attended by Indian President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who described Singh as one of the “most outstanding leaders of the country”, as well as several cabinet ministers.
Singh’s body was then placed on a pyre to religious hymns and cremated.
Authorities said a seven day mourning period and all cultural and entertainment events canceled during this time. Government buildings across India fly the national flag at half-mast.
