He was my friend, philosopher, and guide: Sonia Gandhi on Dr Manmohan Singh

"In Dr Manmohan Singh's passing, we have lost a leader who was the epitome of wisdom, nobility, humility," Sonia Gandhi remembers Dr Manmohan Singh

Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Friday paid rich tributes to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (Aiims), New Delhi on Thursday. He was 92.

 

"In Dr Manmohan Singh's passing, we have lost a leader who was the epitome of wisdom, nobility and humility, who served our country with all his heart and mind. A luminous and beloved guiding light for the Congress party, his compassion and vision transformed and empowered the lives of millions of Indians. He was loved by the people of India for his pure heart and fine mind," she said in a statement  She further said, "His advice, wise counsel and views were eagerly sought and deeply valued across the political spectrum in our country. Respected and admired by leaders and scholars all over the world, he was hailed as a statesman of immense wisdom and stature. Dr Manmohan Singh brought brilliance and distinction to every high office that he held. And he brought pride and honour to India.  "For me, Dr Manmohan Singh's death is a deeply personal loss. He was my friend, philosopher and guide. He was so gentle in his manner but so resolute in his deeply held convictions. His commitment to social justice, secularism and democratic values was deep and unwavering. To spend any time with him, was to come away enlightened by his knowledge and sagacity, moved by his honesty and integrity, and awed by his genuine humility. He leaves a void in our national life that can never be filled. We in the Congress Party, and the people of India will forever be proud and grateful that we had a leader like Dr Manmohan Singh whose contributions to India's progress and development are immeasurable," she said in her message on Singh's demise.     

Earlier on Friday, Mrs Gandhi paid homage to Singh at his residence where his mortal remains have been kept for people to pay their last respects. She also attended a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting convened to pay tributes to the former prime minister.

  Manmohan Singh's final mortal journey will commence from the headquarters of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) to the Nigambodh cremation grounds at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. His funeral is scheduled for 11.45 a.m. tomorrow.  After the Congress party's surprise win in 2004, it was widely expected that Mrs Gandhi, who had spearheaded the electoral campaign, would be sworn in as prime minister, However, in a move that caught the political establishment off-guard, she picked Dr Singh for the top legislative post in the country. SIngh went on to be prime minister for a second consecutive term when the United Progressive Alliance won again in 2009.