India’s former PM Manmohan Singh cremated with state honours

By Nidhi Verma

NEW DELHI (Reuters) – The physique of Manmohan Singh, the previous Indian prime minister whose demise has spark outpourings of grief at house and accolades from overseas, was cremated on Sunday on the banks of the Yamuna River in New Delhi with full state honours.

The funeral was carried out within the Sikh custom as clergymen chanted hymns, after Singh’s physique, draped within the Indian flag, was carried by means of the capital on a flower-decked carriage pulled by a ceremonial military truck.

The flag was eliminated and the physique lined with a saffron fabric earlier than it was positioned on the pyre.

Since Singh died on Thursday at 92, many have taken up his remark close to the top of his 10-year rule that “historical past shall be kinder to me than the up to date media”.

He was referring to a notion of weak management as he headed a coalition authorities dealing with quite a few costs of corruption, which was thrown out of workplace within the 2014 election received by his successor Narendra Modi.

Modi, who known as Singh one of many nation’s “most distinguished leaders” after his demise, attended the funeral, together with President Droupadi Murmu and representatives of assorted nations. Modi’s authorities has determined to allocate land for Singh’s memorial.

Singh, thought of the architect of India’s financial liberalisation, had criticised Modi’s financial insurance policies resembling demonetisation and introducing a items and providers tax.

Singh is survived by his spouse and three daughters.

Congress Chief Rahul Gandhi accompanied Singh’s household on the truck to the Nigambodh Ghat cremation website after the procession from get together headquarters in New Delhi, the place individuals joined Congress get together leaders and members to pay their final respects.

The leaders of the U.S., Canada, France, Sri Lanka, China and Pakistan have been amongst these expressing grief at Singh’s demise and highlighting his worldwide contributions.