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IOCUSA hosts memorial service for Dr Manmohan Singh
Drawing over 600 distinguished guests, the memorial was organized in New Jersey to pay tribute to Dr. Singh’s extraordinary contributions as a global statesman and renowned economist
Memorial service to honor the life and legacy of former Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. / Courtesy Photo
The Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) USA, along with the Indo-American Cultural Society of USA and the Indo-American Community, in association with the IOC New Jersey Chapter, held a prayer and memorial service to honor the life and legacy of former Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
The event took place at Royal Albert’s Palace, drawing over 600 distinguished guests, including former New Jersey Governor James E. McGreevey and Senator Owen Henry.
The memorial was organized to pay tribute to Dr. Singh’s extraordinary contributions as a global statesman and renowned economist. Elected officials, community leaders, social activists, and prominent figures from across the United States came together to commemorate his achievements and enduring influence.
The ceremony began with a warm welcome from Qayam Masumi, Arjumand Juveria, and Pomposh Sheikh, who extended greetings to the attendees. The event was officially inaugurated by Pradip (Peter) Kothari, President of the IOC New Jersey Chapter, and Harkesh Thakur, chairman of the New Jersey Chapter. They were joined by IOC NJ Chapter vice presidents Anil Patel, Mahesh Patel, and Manmit Singh Vasdev, along with treasurer Rajesh Desai and public relations officer Harvendar Singh.
Peter Kothari introduced the National president of IOC USA, Mohinder Singh Gilzian, and Working President Pardip Samla. During his address, Gilzian paid tribute to Dr. Singh’s legacy, emphasizing his humility and statesmanship. He noted, “Wo aasman tha, par sir jhuka kar chalta tha” (He was as vast as the sky, yet walked with humility).
The ceremony also included a bhajan performance that created a reflective ambiance. / Courtesy PhotoA special video message from Sam Pitroda, Global and USA chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, reflected on Dr. Singh’s role in shaping India’s economic transformation. Prominent speakers shared personal stories and insights about Dr. Singh’s life and leadership. Among them, Harbachan Singh, secretary-general of IOC USA, highlighted the former Prime Minister's simplicity and integrity. Former New Jersey Governor James E. McGreevey paid homage to Dr. Singh’s universal respect, while Senator Owen Henry praised his contributions as a global statesman. Councilman Viru Patel shared personal experiences, emphasizing the profound impact Dr. Singh had on the Indian diaspora. Councilman Rajesh Mehta underscored Dr. Singh’s legacy and his pivotal role in India’s growth.
The event welcomed several prominent community leaders and IOC USA chapter presidents from across the country, including: John Joseph, vice president of IOC USA, Rajiv Gowda, president of Karnataka Chapter, Gurmeet Singh Gill, president of Punjab Chapter, Rejeshwar Reddy, president of Telangana Chapter, and Srinivasarao Bhimineni, president of Andhra Pradesh Chapter.
A unique segment featured video messages from esteemed Indian journalists, including Punya Prasun Vajpai, Ashok Vankhede, Vinod Sharma, Deepak Sharma, and Abhisar Sharma, sharing their insights and personal encounters with Dr. Singh. Arjumand Juveria, joint secretary of the IOC, narrated a memorable incident where Dr. Singh responded to a parliamentary debate with poetic eloquence, showcasing his intellect and grace.
The ceremony also included a bhajan performance that created a reflective ambiance. The musical tribute was presented by a talented group of artists: Asif Rajab Ali, Prakash Parmar, Rajni Mishra, Ranjit Shripali, Bharat Patel, Hardik Patel on keyboard, and Prince Patel. Their devotional songs deeply resonated with the audience.
The memorial concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Mukesh Kashiwala and Peter Kothari. They expressed their gratitude to all attendees, volunteers, and contributors for making the event a grand success. Kothari closed the ceremony with a powerful statement: “It is our responsibility to honor and perpetuate the values Dr. Manmohan Singh stood for, as a leader, economist, and human being.”
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