Manmohan Singh’s death has left the nation in mourning, with tributes pouring in from across the political spectrum and around the world. The former prime minister, who passed away on Thursday night at the age of 92 due to age-related medical complications, was cremated with full state honors on Saturday at Nigam Bodh Ghat in New Delhi. His funeral was marked by solemn ceremonies and the presence of prominent leaders.

Key moments from the funeral:

1. The funeral rites followed Sikh traditions, with hymns being chanted by priests as Manmohan Singh’s body was carried through the streets of Delhi on a flower-bedecked vehicle, draped in the Indian flag.
2. Before being placed on the pyre, the flag was removed and the body was covered with a saffron cloth, in line with Sikh customs.
3. The procession began at the AICC headquarters, where leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and other senior Congress leaders paid their respects to the departed leader.
4. Manmohan Singh’s wife, Gursharan Kaur, and their daughter also paid their tributes, laying wreaths on his body.
5. Key leaders like Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and the leaders of the opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, were present to honor the late prime minister.
6. The funeral procession was attended by the country’s top military leaders, including the Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and the three service chiefs.
7. Singh’s long-standing role as the architect of India’s economic reforms and his tenure as prime minister from 2004 to 2014 were honored during the ceremony.
8. PM Narendra Modi, who called Singh one of the “most distinguished leaders,” joined President Droupadi Murmu in paying tribute, while the government announced the allocation of land for a memorial to Singh.
9. Leaders from across the globe, including the US, Canada, France, Sri Lanka, China, and Pakistan, expressed their condolences, recognizing his international contributions and leadership.
10. A seven-day national mourning period has been declared by the Union government, with flags flying at half-mast in respect.

Singh’s death marks the end of an era in Indian politics. He was widely credited with steering India through a period of immense economic transformation, which saw the country open its doors to the global economy. His quiet and steadfast leadership style earned him respect both domestically and internationally. His passing has left a void in the political landscape, with many reflecting on his contributions to India’s rise on the global stage.