Chakwal: Despite the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, exacerbated by persistent acts of terrorism from Islamabad, the small village of Gah in Pakistan, the ancestral home of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, held a poignant event to commemorate his passing.
The villagers organized a special gathering to honor Manmohan Singh, who passed away on December 26, 2024, at AIIMS Delhi at the age of 92.
The community expressed pride in their connection to the esteemed leader, reflecting on his remarkable journey from humble beginnings to becoming the head of the world's largest democracy.
One villager remarked, "It fills me with pride to know that Manmohan Singh was a classmate of my father. Every time I saw his name in school, I felt a sense of pride that a boy from our small village rose to become the Prime Minister of such a vast democracy and represented India with dignity."
Another villager extended an invitation to Manmohan Singh's family, encouraging them to visit their ancestral village.
He stated, "Although he is no longer with us, his wife and daughters remain. We invite them to come back here. They will find their home as it was, and we are all eagerly awaiting their arrival. If they choose to visit, we will welcome them in a manner that will surely be remembered in history."
Manmohan Singh passed away at the age of 92 due to age-related health issues in Delhi on December 26. He was cremated with full state honors at Nigambodh Ghat in Delhi's Kashmere Gate on December 28, attended by family, friends, colleagues, and government officials.
Singh's political journey extended over several decades, marked by significant roles such as Finance Minister from 1991 to 1996, a period during which he led pivotal economic reforms that reshaped India's economic landscape. He held the position of Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014, taking over from Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
His time in office is particularly noted for his calm leadership amid economic challenges and his efforts to modernize the Indian economy. In 2014, he was succeeded by Narendra Modi following the Congress-led UPA's defeat in the general elections. Earlier this year, Manmohan Singh concluded his tenure in the Rajya Sabha.
