Former Vice President Hamid Ansari, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and party President Mallikarjun Kharge were among the dignitaries who attended Manmohan Singh's 'Akhand Path' at the ex-prime minister's residence on Friday.
After Dr Manmohan Singh passed away, taking to X, Kharge wrote, "Undoubtedly, history shall judge you kindly, Dr. Manmohan Singh ji! With the passing of the Former Prime Minister, India has lost a visionary statesman, a leader of unimpeachable integrity, and an economist of unparalleled stature."
The dignitaries, along with a large number of well-wishers and family members, paid their tributes to the former prime minister who died on December 26.
Sonia Gandhi considered Manmohan Singh a "friend, philosopher and a guide". "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," Sonia had said in a statement.
At the prayer meeting, Singh's wife Gursharan Kaur recited a 'shabad (verse)' from Sikh scriptures.
A formal prayer meeting for Singh will be held at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj later on Friday.
Manmohan Singh steered the country as prime minister from 2004 to 2014 and was considered the architect of India's economic liberalisation and reforms.
In Sonia Gandhi's words, "Dr Manmohan Singh brought brilliance and distinction to every high office that he held. And he brought pride and honour to India."