Memorial Site Receives Green Signal from Singh's Family
The memorial for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is set to become a reality after his family gave their consent to the proposed site at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal in New Delhi. Sources close to Singh's family confirmed they have formally written to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, giving their approval to the selected site.Singh’s three daughters, along with their spouses, recently visited the proposed location, a crucial step in finalizing their decision.
Rashtriya Smriti Sthal: Final Resting Place of Distinguished Leaders
The designated memorial site spans approximately 900 square metres within Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, an area that already hosts memorials dedicated to former prime ministers and presidents of India. Notably, the memorial site for former President Pranab Mukherjee, who passed away in 2020, stands adjacent to Singh’s proposed memorial location.Next Steps: Formation of a Trust and Transfer of Funds
Following the family's approval, the next critical step involves the transfer of the land to a trust established in Manmohan Singh’s memory. Sources indicate that Singh's family will soon propose and finalize the trust members' names, paving the way for the trust's formal establishment.
Upon its creation, the Indian government will allocate a grant of ₹25 lakh towards constructing the memorial, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Officials from the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) have already inspected the site, indicating progress towards the memorial’s establishment.
Manmohan Singh: Remembering the Architect of India's Economic Reforms
Manmohan Singh, who passed away at the age of 92 on December 26, 2024, was widely respected for steering India's transformative economic reforms. His demise followed age-related complications, and his last rites were performed at Nigambodh Ghat in the presence of his wife, Gursharan Kaur, President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.The choice of Nigambodh Ghat for Singh's funeral had previously drawn criticism from the Congress party, with which Singh had a long-standing association.
The Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, known for commemorating India's distinguished leaders, previously welcomed a memorial for another prominent Congress leader, former President Pranab Mukherjee, who died on August 31, 2020.
