Former Prime Minister and respected Congress leader Manmohan Singh died on Thursday at 92. His passing has left a huge void in Indian politics and has deeply affected those who respected his illustrious career.
Manmohan Singh was a distinguished economist who dedicated his life to public service. He was recently admitted to AIIMS in Delhi, where his health condition deteriorated. The news of his demise spread instantly, leading to an outpouring of condolences on various social media platforms, especially Twitter.
Tributes from leaders to Manmohan Singh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences through an emotional post on X.com, saying, “India mourns the demise of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr Manmohan Singh Ji. Emerging from a humble background, he rose to become a respected economist and served in several government roles, including Finance Minister, leaving a lasting impact on our economic policies. His insightful contributions in Parliament were invaluable. As Prime Minister, he made significant efforts to improve the lives of the people.
India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. Rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist. He served in various government positions as well, including as Finance Minister, leaving a strong imprint on our economic… pic.twitter.com/clW00Yv6oP
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 26, 2024
President Draupadi Murmu also expressed deep grief, saying, “Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh Ji was one of those rare statesmen who worked efficiently in the field of education and governance. His significant contribution to the improvement of the Indian economy will always be recognised. His demise is a great loss for our nation, and I pay my tributes to an exemplary leader of India.”
Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh Ji was one of those rare politicians who also straddled the worlds of academia and administration with equal ease. In his various roles in public offices, he made critical contributions to reforming Indian economy. He will always be…
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 26, 2024
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in a touching message, said, “Manmohan Singh Ji guided India with immense wisdom and integrity. His humility and profound understanding of economics inspired the nation. I offer my heartfelt condolences to Mrs Kaur and her family. I have lost a mentor and guide.”
Manmohan Singh Ji led India with immense wisdom and integrity. His humility and deep understanding of economics inspired the nation.
My heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Kaur and the family.
I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the… pic.twitter.com/bYT5o1ZN2R
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 26, 2024
An iconic political trajectory Manmohan Singh served as the Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014, and completed two successful terms in office. Before this, he was a notable member of the Rajya Sabha since 1991, during which he held the position of Leader of the Opposition from 1998 to 2004. He represented the state of Assam in the Upper House for five terms before shifting to Rajasthan in 2019.
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His dedication to public service was evident in his last intervention in Parliament, where he notably opposed demonetisation, describing it as “organised loot and statutory plunder”.
Scholarly achievements
Born on September 26, 1932, in Punjab, Singh was a distinguished academician. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics from Punjab University in 1952 and 1954 respectively. He furthered his education with the Economic Tripos from the University of Cambridge in 1957 followed by a D.Phil. in economics from the University of Oxford in 1962.
An enduring legacy of integrity and service
Manmohan Singh’s legacy is characterised by his humility, devotion to public service and extraordinary economic insight. His contribution to India’s economic landscape and his unwavering integrity will continue to inspire future generations. When we reflect on the life of this remarkable leader, he will be remembered for his profound service to the nation and the immense respect he commanded from millions of people.