State declares seven-day mourning over ex-PM's demise
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 27 2024: The government of Manipur on Friday declared a seven-day state mourning as a mark of respect to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away on Thursday night in Delhi at the age of 92 years.

Considered as the architect of modern India s economic reforms, Dr Manmohan was the Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 .

A notification issued by the General Administrative Department's deputy secretary Asem Regina Chanu stated that during the period of mourning, the national flag will be flown at half past throughout the state and there will be no official entertainment.

In his condolence message, chief minister N Biren recalled that Dr Manmohan Singh, who led the country as Prime Minister for two consecutive terms, was an extraordinary statesman, and a visionary leader with exceptional intelligence.

"He was the architect of India s economic liberalisation, opening up the country to foreign investment and policies that led to its transformation into a global economic powerhouse," Biren said, while also recalling the former PM's other remarkable legacies which included India - US Nuclear Deal, Right to Education Act and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, among others.

Biren further stated that Dr Manmohan's demise is not only a loss for his family, but an irreparable loss for the entire country, marking the end of an era.

"The void left by his demise would be extremely difficult to fill," CM Biren added.

Manipur Legislative Assembly speaker Th Satyabrata Singh also mourned the passing away of Dr Manmohan Singh, remembering him as a distinguished economist.

"Let us honour his memory by upholding the values of integrity, humility and dedication to public service that he exemplified throughout his life and a masterclass in leadership," the speaker said, and prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace.

Meanwhile, mourning the untimely demise of Dr Manmohan, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president Keisham Meghachandra in a post on X said, "I express my heartfelt condolences to the family members of our former prime minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh, on his sad demise.

I am lost in profound grief with deep agony and pain to hear his passing away.

I pray to God to give strength to the bereaved family.

I pray for his soul to be in heaven".

Meghachandra also recalled the contributions made by Manmohan Singh in the making of modern Manipur and attributed the credit of delivering multiple revolutionary developmental constructions and key events to the former prime minister.

"The tenure of Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister of India (2004 to 2014) was the golden era of 21st century for modern Manipur," Meghachandra said, adding Manmohan Singh will be remembered for 'handing over Kangla Fort to the people of Manipur from Assam Rifles, removal of AFSPA from 7 assembly segments of the state, upgrading of Manipur university into central university, a separate High Court of Manipur with grand new building" .

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