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The central government has officially initiated the process to build a memorial for former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, who passed away on December 26, 2024. Several potential sites have been proposed for the memorial, and Dr. Singh's family has been asked to select one from these locations. Among the sites under consideration are areas near Rajghat, Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, and Kisan Ghat. The Ministry of Urban Development has already inspected these locations to evaluate their feasibility for the memorial.
According to sources, the government is considering allocating between one and one and a half acres of land for the memorial. These locations, particularly those near Rajghat, are significant due to their historical and political importance. Rajghat, for example, is the burial site of Mahatma Gandhi and a key site for memorials of other major political figures, including Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and Sanjay Gandhi. The possibility of Dr. Singh's memorial being situated near these prominent memorials is being considered to add further historical context and significance.
Before the construction can begin, the formation of a trust is a prerequisite. This step is mandated by the government’s policy, which specifies that land for memorials can only be allotted to a trust. The trust will then formally apply for land allocation through the appropriate channels. Once the land allocation is approved, the trust will enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), which will be responsible for overseeing the construction of the memorial.
The creation of the trust and the completion of the land allocation process are the first steps before any actual construction can begin. Dr. Singh’s family will finalize the selection of the location based on the government’s proposed sites. After the site is confirmed, the process for allocating the land will proceed, followed by the MoU with CPWD. The final memorial will stand as a tribute to Dr. Singh’s legacy, particularly his role in shaping India's economic policies, including his contribution to key liberalizing economic reforms.
The government’s decision to build a memorial comes amid a period of political debate over the former Prime Minister’s legacy. Discussions surrounding the location and construction of the memorial are ongoing, and once completed, it will provide a permanent homage to Dr. Singh’s tenure as Prime Minister and his pivotal role in India’s development.