Dr Singh, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, has passed away at the age of 92. He was admitted to AIIMS Delhi on Thursday evening after his health deteriorated. He was brought to the emergency department of the hospital.
AIIMS Delhi in a statement said, "With profound grief, we inform the demise of Former Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, aged 92. He was being treated for age-related medical conditions and had sudden loss of consciousness at home on 26th December 2024. Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the Medical Emergency at AIIMS, New Delhi at 8:06 PM. Despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9:51 PM."
As the two-term Prime Minister of the UPA, he stayed at the top post from 2004 and 2014. He served as a member of the Rajya Sabha till April this year. In his political career, Singh has been a member of the Rajya Sabha since 1991, where he was Leader of the Opposition between 1998 and 2004.
Singh shot to prominence as the country's Finance Minister in the government headed by PV Narasimha Rao during 1991-96, having brought in sweeping reforms that transformed the economy. In 1991, as India faced a severe economic crisis, but over the next few years, despite strong opposition, he carried out several structural reforms that liberalised India's economy.
Manmohan Singh was sworn in as Prime Minister on May 22 after the 2004 general elections and took the oath of office for a second term on May 22, 2009. He represented Assam for five terms in the Upper House and shifted to Rajasthan in 2019. His last intervention in Parliament was against demonetisation, describing it as an "organised loot and legalised plunder".
Born on September 26, 1932, in Punjab, Singh received his Bachelor's and Master's in Economics from Panjab University in 1952 and 1954 respectively. Manmohan Singh completed his Economic Tripos from Cambridge University in 1957. He followed this with a D.Phil in Economics from Oxford University in 1962.
Singh was born to Gurmukh Singh and Amrit Kaur on 26 September 1932, in Gah, Punjab, (now in Punjab, Pakistan), into a Sikh family. After the Partition of India, his family migrated to Haldwani, India. In 1948 they relocated to Amritsar, where he studied at Hindu College, Amritsar.
Life and Education
Manmohan Singh was born on September 26, 1932, in Gah, Punjab, British India. He received his early education at the Khalsa High School in Peshawar. Following the partition of India in 1947, Singh and his family moved to India. He pursued higher education at Panjab University, Chandigarh, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics. Singh's academic journey continued at the University of Cambridge, where he completed his Economic Tripos and later earned a Ph.D. in Economics. His profound understanding of economics, honed through rigorous academic training, played a pivotal role in shaping his illustrious career and enduring legacy.
Career and Legacy
Manmohan Singh had a distinguished career in public service, spanning over four decades. He served as the Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014, leading the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. Before his tenure as Prime Minister, Singh held several key positions, including Finance Minister, Chief Economic Advisor, and Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. As Finance Minister, he was instrumental in implementing economic reforms that liberalized India's economy and opened it up to global trade. Singh's legacy is marked by his unwavering commitment to economic reforms and his efforts to enhance India's economic prospects, making him a revered figure in Indian politics and economics.
Economic Impact
Manmohan Singh's economic policies had a profound impact on India's economy. During his tenure as Finance Minister, he introduced the landmark 1991 Budget, which marked a significant shift towards a market-oriented economy. This budget laid the foundation for rapid economic growth in the subsequent decades. As Prime Minister, Singh's government continued to implement policies that promoted economic growth, reduced poverty, and improved living standards. Under his leadership, India's GDP grew at an average rate of 7.6% per annum, establishing the country as one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world. His economic vision and policies have left an indelible mark on India's economic landscape.
Tributes and Condolences
The news of Manmohan Singh's passing was met with an outpouring of tributes and condolences from leaders across the political spectrum. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described him as a "distinguished leader" who rose from humble origins to become a respected economist and statesman. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed his heartfelt condolences to Singh's family and supporters, emphasizing that his legacy would be remembered for generations. Other leaders, including Amit Shah, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Rahul Gandhi, also paid tribute to Singh's life and contributions, highlighting his role in shaping modern India. The widespread tributes reflect the deep respect and admiration that Manmohan Singh commanded across the nation.