India to bid solemn farewell today to its former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the first Sikh to hold the nation’s top office.
Manmohan Singh - who passed away on Thursday at the age of 92 - served as prime minister from 2004 to 2014, leading the country through a period of significant economic transformation.
In his tribute, Prime Minister Modi hailed Dr. Singh as “one of India’s most distinguished leaders,” while US President Joe Biden called him “a true statesman” whose work “charted path-breaking progress.” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi described Singh as “a mentor and guide” who led India with “immense wisdom and integrity.”
A towering legacy
Born in 1932 in the village of Gah, now in Pakistan, Dr. Singh overcame humble beginnings to achieve academic excellence. He studied economics at Cambridge University and completed a doctorate at Oxford, setting the foundation for his distinguished career.
Before entering politics, he served in several key roles, including as governor of India’s central bank and an advisor to global organisations like the United Nations. He was appointed finance minister in 1991 by then-Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao during one of India’s worst financial crises. His economic reforms during this period are widely credited with liberalising the Indian economy.
Dr. Singh’s tenure as prime minister was marked by rapid economic growth, peaking at nine percent during his first term. He also brokered a historic nuclear deal with the United States, which was seen as a cornerstone for India’s energy security.
However, his second term was mired in controversy, with corruption scandals, high inflation, and slowed growth tarnishing his legacy. The Congress Party’s poor performance under his leadership paved the way for Narendra Modi’s landslide victory in 2014.
Remembered for humility and service
President Droupadi Murmu described Dr Singh as a leader who would “always be remembered for his service to the nation, his unblemished political life, and utmost humility.”
Despite his understated demeanour, Dr Singh leaves behind a legacy as a visionary leader who played a key role in India’s economic liberalisation and international standing.
