New Delhi: Condoling the death of Singapore's founding father and first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, PM Narendra Modi called him a 'far-sighted statesman' and a 'lion among the leaders'.
Singapore's stalwart leader Lee, who had been battling severe pneumonia since last six weeks, passed away on Monday early morning at 3:18 am in Singapore's General Hospital. He was 91-years-old.
Extending condolences over Lee's death, PM Narendra Modi said that his demise was saddening and eulogised him as a “far-sighted statesman” whose life teaches “valuable lessons to everyone”.
In this hour of bereavement, our prayers are with Mr. Lee Kuan Yew's family and the people of Singapore. May his soul rest in peace.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 23, 2015
A far-sighted statesman &a lion among leaders, Mr Lee Kuan Yew's life teaches valuable lessons to everyone. News of his demise is saddening
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 23, 2015
Singapore's Lee was admitted to hospital on Feb 5 and was suffering from severe pneumonia.
Lee's death has sent Singaporeans into gloom, as a queue of wailing Singaporeans arrived at the hospital to pay tributes to the founding father of the nation.
The Singapore's PMO has declared March 23- 29 as days of national mourning.
An aggrieved son and the nation's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong fought tears as he spoke about his father's death in a televised address.
"We won't see another man like him. To many Singaporeans, and indeed others too, Lee Kuan Yew was Singapore," he said.
The Singaporean titan was known for his fierce leadership and is credited with the transformation of the island nation into a global financial powerhouse.
