Manmohan Singh, a renowned statesman and architect of India’s economic liberalization under P.V. Narasimha Rao, passed away on Thursday at the age of 92. Serving as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, Singh left a lasting governance and economic reform legacy.
AIIMS, New Delhi, announced his passing, stating he was treated for age-related conditions and suffered a sudden loss of consciousness on December 26. Despite all attempts to revive him, he was pronounced dead at 9:51 PM.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound grief over the demise of Dr. Manmohan Singh. In a post on X, he reminisced about their frequent discussions during Singh’s tenure as Prime Minister and his own as Gujarat’s Chief Minister. Modi wrote, “Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji and I frequently engaged in discussions during his tenure as Prime Minister and my time as Chief Minister of Gujarat.
We often engaged in extensive discussions on governance. His wisdom and humility always stood out.”
He stated, “In this moment of sorrow, My heartfelt condolences go out to Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji’s family, friends, and the many who admired him. Om Shanti.
A high-ranking official stated that all government programs planned for Friday will be canceled, and a seven-day national mourning period will be observed. The Union Cabinet will convene on Friday at 11 a.m. to pay tribute to the former Prime Minister. Additionally, Dr. Singh’s last rites will be conducted with full state honors, according to the officials.
Manmohan Singh, born in 1932 in Gah, now in Pakistan, rose from humble origins to become a pivotal figure in shaping modern India. As finance minister in the early 1990s, he played a key role in implementing transformative economic reforms that ended years of protectionism, reduced trade barriers, and opened India’s economy to globalization. These measures are widely credited with establishing India as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.
While leading a coalition government, Singh prioritized policies promoting inclusive growth, poverty alleviation, and infrastructure development. His tenure saw the introduction of landmark initiatives such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the Right to Information Act, and notable improvements in rural electrification and healthcare access.
Manmohan Singh, known for his fiscal discipline and steady leadership, guided India through the 2008 global financial crisis, safeguarding the economy from major shocks. He played a pivotal role in enhancing India’s global stature, notably through the historic India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement.
Singh’s tenure was marked by intellectual depth, integrity, and dedication to public service. However, his second term (2009-2014) faced challenges, including high inflation, bureaucratic delays labeled as ‘policy paralysis,’ and controversies like the telecom licensing scandal. Despite these hurdles, he remains a symbol of progress and vision.
Manmohan Singh, a technocrat known for his integrity, faced criticism for a perceived lack of assertiveness. This, coupled with anti-incumbency and the NDA’s development-focused campaign, paved the way for Modi’s leadership in 2014.
He is survived by his wife Gursharan Kaur and three daughters. Leaders across the political spectrum have paid tribute to Singh, remembering him as a visionary who transformed India. Rahul Gandhi lauded his wisdom and economic acumen, calling him a mentor, while Priyanka Gandhi highlighted his dignity, courage, and commitment to serving the nation with honesty.
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Former finance minister P. Chidambaram called Singh’s era from 1991 to 2014 a “golden chapter” in India’s history, crediting him with shaping the middle class and praising his humility. Shashi Tharoor mourned his passing, calling him a visionary leader who significantly contributed to India’s progress.
