New Delhi: The nation mourns the loss of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, whose last rites will be conducted on Saturday. An official announcement regarding the ceremony is expected on Friday.  

Congress General Secretary K C Venugopal described the passing of Dr Singh as a "painful loss" for the nation. Speaking to reporters on Thursday night, Venugopal said, "The last rites of former PM Dr Manmohan Singh will be held the day after tomorrow. We will announce officially."  

The Congress Party has cancelled all scheduled programmes for the next seven days, including the Congress Foundation Day event on December 28.  

According to Congress sources, the mortal remains of former PM Dr Manmohan Singh will be brought to AICC headquarters on December 28, for people to pay their last respects. His last rites be performed near Rajghat.

Leaders pay their respects  

Dr Singh’s body was brought to his residence at 3 Motilal Nehru Marg late Thursday night from AIIMS, Delhi. It will be placed there for the public to pay their last respects.  

Prominent Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, visited his residence to offer condolences. Rahul Gandhi and Kharge cut short their visit to Karnataka’s Belagavi to return to Delhi.  

Expressing his grief, Rahul Gandhi wrote on X, "Manmohan Singh Ji led India with immense wisdom and integrity. His humility and deep understanding of economics inspired the nation. My heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Kaur and the family. I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the utmost pride."  

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh highlighted Dr Singh’s pivotal contributions to India’s growth.

"His Prime Ministership saw revolutionary legislation relating to rural employment, tribal rights, reservations for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and OBCs, primary education, food security, and land acquisition. The Indo-US nuclear agreement was a landmark that enhanced India's global status. His Prime Ministership saw the highest GDP growth rate in the country's history," Ramesh said in his tribute.  

He further added, "Many of the initiatives he took as PM were marketed, branded, and projected as his successor's contributions. But Dr Singh never minded and would give his trademark smile."  

Tributes across Nation  

Leaders from across the political spectrum, including Mamata Banerjee, Pinarayi Vijayan, Bhagwant Mann, Akhilesh Yadav, Arvind Kejriwal, and Hemant Soren, expressed their sorrow. Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "Very sad... He can never be forgotten. I pray for peace to his soul."  

Congress leaders Revanth Reddy, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, and Siddaramaiah also paid their respects. Bihar Congress President Akhilesh Prasad Singh called Dr Singh’s demise "a personal loss." Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel described it as "an irreparable loss for the nation and the Congress Party."  

Painful loss

Dr Manmohan Singh passed away on Thursday evening at AIIMS, Delhi, at the age of 92. According to a press release from AIIMS, he experienced a sudden loss of consciousness at home before being rushed to the hospital. Despite resuscitation efforts, he was declared dead at 9:51 pm.  

The statement read, "With profound grief, we inform the demise of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, aged 92. He was being treated for age-related medical conditions and had sudden loss of consciousness at home on 26th December 2024. Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the Medical Emergency at AIIMS, New Delhi at 8:06 pm. Despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9:51 pm."  

A legacy that shaped India  

Born in Punjab in 1932, Dr Singh served as India’s Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, leading the country through a period of significant economic and social reforms. He retired from the Rajya Sabha earlier this year, after serving for 33 years.  

ANI