(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was given a standing ovation by his staff at South Block during a farewell they hosted for him yesterday, a day after the general elections ended. It also saw some moist eyes.
Around 110 staff of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) gathered at South Block to give a farewell to Manmohan Singh, who steps down May 17 after a decade at the helm of the country.
"The staff gave the prime minister a standing ovation," a PMO official said, adding that the staff presented him with a bouquet.
Manmohan Singh told the PMO staff: "I am very thankful to you all for your service to the nation. May god bless you."
Some of the staff who have interacted with the prime minister during the 10 years of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) rule were seen wiping away their tears, the official added.
Present along with Manmohan Singh were National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon, Principal Secretary Pulok Chatterjee, Prime Minister's Advisor T K A Nair and his Media Advisor Pankaj Pachauri.
The farewell was hosted in the spacious corridor of the PMO.
It was held yesterday as today is a holiday on account of Buddha Purnima, said a source.
Some TV cameras and news photographers were present on the occasion.
The 10-phase Lok Sabha elections, which were held in 28 states and seven union territories, began April 7 and ended on Monday. The millions of votes will be counted Friday.
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