2024 death of former Indian prime minister From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
On 26 December 2024, Manmohan Singh, the 13th prime minister of India and 24th minister of finance, died due to various health complications at the age of 92.[1] Following his death, the Government of India announced a nationwide seven-day state mourning period until 1 January 2025.[2] He was given a state funeral on 28 December 2024. His lying in state occurred at the All India Congress Committee headquarters in Delhi.
![]() Official portrait, 2009 | |
Date | 26 December 2024 (death) 28 December 2024 (state funeral) |
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Location | AIIMS, Delhi (death) Nigambodh Ghat, Delhi (state funeral) |
Singh, a chronic diabetic, underwent multiple cardiac bypass surgeries, the last of which took place in January 2009.[3] In May 2020, Singh was hospitalised at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) due to a negative reaction from some new medication.[4] In April 2021, Singh was hospitalised after testing positive for COVID-19.[5] In October 2021, Singh was hospitalised again at the AIIMS after experiencing weakness and fever.[6]
On 26 December 2024, Singh collapsed at his home in New Delhi and was admitted to the emergency department of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi. Singh died a few hours after his hospitalisation at the age of 92.[7][8] The official statment by AIIMS stated that Singh died at 9:51 pm, after being treated for age-related illnesses and "had sudden loss of consciousness at home" earlier that day.[9]
Following his death, the Government of India declared seven days of state mourning throughout India from 26 December to 1 January, both days inclusive, with flags at half mast throughout India during the period of state mourning. The government also announced that Singh will be accorded a state funeral.[10]
On 27 December, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, passed a Condolence Resolution in the memory of Singh. The Cabinet also observed a two-minute silence. The resolution read, in part:[11]
Dr. Manmohan Singh has left his imprint on our national life. In his passing away, the Nation has lost an eminent statesman, renowned economist and a distinguished leader.
Further, it was announced by the president's secretariat that the change of guard ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 28 December will not take place due to national mourning.[12]
The state funeral for Manmohan Singh occurred in New Delhi on 28 December 2024. His eldest daughter lit the funeral pyre at the crematorium in front of President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and senior members of Singh's Congress Party. Foreign dignitaries such as the King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Mauritius Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful were also in attendance. Singh received full state honours in a ceremony that included a 21-gun salute.[13]
Not many people know this, and it is time that I share it with Malaysians: during the years of my incarceration, he extended a kindness that he didn't have to – one that was neither politically expedient nor, as one can imagine, appreciated by the Malaysian government at that time. Yet, true to his character, he did it anyway. He offered scholarships for my children, particularly my son, Ihsan. Although I had declined the gracious offer, such a gesture undoubtedly showed his extraordinary humanity and generosity, demonstrative, as the Bard would have it, of a man so full of the "milk of human kindness".[22]
Several countries sent condolences.[23]
The Government of India announced that a trust will be formed for a memorial to Manmohan Singh, following which space will be allocated for it.[63]
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