Today, India mourns the loss of its former Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, who passed away at the age of 92 due to age-related medical conditions. According to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi, where he was admitted, Dr. Singh suddenly lost consciousness at home on December 26, 2024.
Dr. Singh is survived by his wife, Gurcharan Singh, and their three daughters. However, his legacy extends far beyond his family. As a renowned economist and statesman, Dr. Singh played a crucial role in shaping India’s economic transformation. His term as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 was marked by significant economic reforms, which lifted millions of people out of poverty.
Former US President Barack Obama paid tribute to Dr.’s exceptional leadership in his memoir ‘A Promised Land’. Singh and described him as a ‘man of uncommon wisdom’. Obama praised Dr. Singh’s commitment to economic reforms, his dedication to the welfare of the Indian people and his unwavering integrity.
Mr. Obama wrote that Dr. Singh, a leading economist, had succeeded in lifting millions of people out of poverty and that the characteristics of his Sikh faith made him appear ‘holy’ in the eyes of the West. He further added that Dr. Singh’s tenure as Prime Minister proved him to be “wise, thoughtful and scrupulously honest”.
The impact of Dr. Singh on India’s economic landscape is undeniable. He implemented policies that encouraged growth, reduced poverty, and improved access to education and health care. His government’s initiatives such as the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and the Right to Information Act have had a lasting impact on the country.
Despite receiving criticism during his tenure, Dr. Singh optimistic about his legacy. At his last press conference as Prime Minister in January 2014, he expressed confidence in the judgment of history, saying: “I honestly believe that history will be kinder to me than today’s media, or for that matter, the opposition parties in parliament”.
As India bids farewell to this visionary leader, we commemorate his remarkable contributions to the country’s growth and development. The legacy of Dr. Manmohan Singh will continue to inspire future generations of leaders and policymakers, and his impact on India’s history will be remembered for years to come.