Guwahati, Dec 27: The Assam government has announced a seven-day state mourning following the demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away at the age of 92 on Thursday night at AIIMS, Delhi.
Manmohan Singh, who served as a Rajya Sabha member from Assam for five consecutive terms, leaves behind an enduring legacy in Indian public life.
The mourning period, declared by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, will extend from December 26, 2024, to January 1, 2025. During this time, the national flag will be flown at half-mast across all state government establishments, and all official entertainment events will be suspended.
In his tribute, Chief Minister Sarma praised Singh’s exemplary contributions to India’s development, particularly his pivotal role in shaping the nation’s economic policies. “Manmohan Singh embodied humility and intellectual brilliance. I had the privilege of knowing him since 1991, when he was first elected to the Rajya Sabha from Assam,” Sarma shared on social media.
Singh’s illustrious career includes his role as the architect of India’s economic liberalisation in 1991, which he initiated as the Finance Minister under Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao. This transformative policy reshaped India’s economy, propelling it onto the global stage. He further solidified his legacy as a statesman during his tenure as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014.
Political leaders from various parties in Assam expressed their condolences. Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya highlighted Singh’s decency, humility, and significant contributions to strengthening India’s global economic standing. “His passing is an irreplaceable loss for the nation,” Acharya stated.
The opposition Congress party hailed Singh as a visionary leader and economist, while the BJP’s Assam unit credited him with initiating economic liberalisation. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal called Singh a pivotal figure in India’s economic resurgence.
“Former PM Manmohan Singh embodied the spirit of humility and scholarship,” Sonowal remarked. “His policies for the welfare of the people were far-reaching, and his passing leaves a void in our political sphere. May his soul find eternal peace. Om Shanti.”
Assam MP Gaurav Gogoi expressed profound grief, saying, “Today, we feel as if we’ve lost someone with whom we shared an emotional bond. Manmohan Singh represented the best of Indian civility, dignity, hard work, dedication, and humility.”
Assam Congress chief Bhupen Kumar Borah wrote, “Manmohan Singh’s legacy is unmatched in the modern era. From his humble beginnings in pre-partition Pakistan to the highest public office in India, he symbolized the possibilities of a post-independence democratic India.”
Borah also noted Singh’s role in transforming India’s economic destiny: “As Finance Minister, he unleashed an era of growth and prosperity. As Prime Minister, his leadership ushered in revolutionary welfare measures and economic development, making India a global economic powerhouse.”
Leader of Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Debabrata Saikia, remarked, “We mourn the passing of Dr. Manmohan Singh, a tremendous loss for our nation. His vision and commitment transformed the Indian economy and inspired countless individuals.”
As the state mourns his loss, the legacy of Manmohan Singh remains a testament to his unwavering dedication to the nation and its progress.
