MemoriesMOOKNAYAK MEDIA BUREAU | December 27, 2024 | Jaipur: As the sun sets on a remarkable life, we mourn the loss of a true statesman, a visionary leader, and a humble soul – Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. At 92, he leaves behind a legacy that will forever be etched in the annals of Indian history.

Memorizing Dr Manmohan Singh as the sun sets on a remarkable life

Born in the midst of turmoil, Singh’s family migrated to India during the partition in 1947. Against all odds, he rose to become a renowned economist, academician, and bureaucrat, serving as the Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014.

Singh’s unwavering loyalty to the Gandhi family was a testament to his commitment to the party and its ideals. Yet, it is equally important to acknowledge the hurt caused by Rahul Gandhi’s misbehavior towards him. A public apology from Rahul Gandhi would be a fitting tribute to the former Prime Minister’s legacy.

As we remember Manmohan Singh, we honor his numerous achievements, including the liberalization of India’s economy, the implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), and the Right to Information Act.

His commitment to education and healthcare led to significant reforms, including the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act.Singh’s foreign policy initiatives strengthened India’s relationships with countries like the United States, China, and Afghanistan.

His leadership played a crucial role in shaping India’s growth story, and his humility and integrity earned him respect across party lines.As we bid farewell to this extraordinary leader, we take a moment to reflect on his remarkable journey.

Manmohan Singh’s life serves as a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and selfless service. May his legacy continue to inspire future generations of leaders and citizens alike.In the words of Singh himself, “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

As we remember this remarkable leader, let us strive to emulate his values of integrity, wisdom, and selfless service.Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin credited Dr. Singh for steering India’s economic transformation. “His tenure marked an era of steady growth, social progress, and reforms that improved the lives of millions.”

Reflecting on the DMK’s steady presence in UPA, he said, that Dr. Singh’s partnership with M. Karunanidhi was instrumental in advancing Tamil Nadu’s development. “Even during turbulent times, Dr. #ManmohanSingh and Thalaivar Kalaignar stood together, exemplifying the strength of coalition politics built on trust and respect for regional identities,” Mr. Stalin said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken paid tribute to Singh, calling him a “champion of the US-India strategic partnership.” Highlighting Singh’s pivotal role in advancing the Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, Blinken stated, “Dr Singh’s leadership laid the foundation for much of what our countries have accomplished together in the past two decades.”

Dr Singh was a brilliant economist with an ambitious vision of what a liberal India could be, combined with a fine sense of what was possible politically. He was understated and soft spoken, which allowed him to attract the best and the brightest, ranging from Montek Singh Ahluwalia to C Rangarajan, to his team.

The liberalisation and reforms he undertook with the support of Prime Minister Narasimha Rao laid the foundations of the modern Indian economy, and spurred the decades of robust growth we still enjoy.

Dr Singh also had singular achievements on the administrative side. In his first term as prime minister, he strengthened relations with the US, culminating in the Civil Nuclear Deal. In some ways, the US-India relationship may be the key global relationship of the 21st century, and Dr Singh put it on stable footing.

In his second term, he appointed Nandan Nilekani to head the unique ID rollout, which became the foundation of the India Stack and successful products like UPI payments. Those were also years of extraordinary growth.

After the initial recovery post-global financial crisis, Dr Singh recognised the growing risks to the economy from excessive spending, and brought back P Chidambaram as finance minister to restore macroeconomic stability. While India experienced volatility during the Taper Tantrum, matters could have been much worse without Dr Singh’s prescience.

Dr Singh was a man of great integrity, never using any of his offices for personal gain or to benefit his family. Though corruption scandals engulfed some government ministries and coalition partners in his second term, they never touched him.

Nevertheless, they clouded his record. With the passage of time, though, many of the allegations have not withstood judicial scrutiny, while his economic reforms seem ever more visionary and important.

Memories;