Manmohan Singh, the former Prime Minister of India, passed away on December 26, 2024, at the age of 92. Throughout his life, Dr Singh was a symbol of leadership, intellect, and integrity. His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by groundbreaking economic reforms, including the liberalisation of India's economy in the 1990s. A renowned economist, he played a pivotal role in shaping modern India’s growth and development. Beyond his political accomplishments, his humble nature and dedication to public service left a lasting impact on the nation. His life and legacy continue to inspire generations of leaders and citizens alike.

Dr Manmohan Singh faced considerable criticism during his tenure as India’s Prime Minister. He was often vilified for his decisions and leadership style. Despite the challenges, he consistently presented himself with dignity to the press, always offering thoughtful and measured responses. A staunch believer in the rights of the people and the media, Dr Singh upheld the democratic values of free speech and protest. In 2005, when he faced protests at JNU, with students waving black flags against his economic policies, his office advised the administration not to intervene, recognising the students' right to express their views. Dr Singh, in his speech, famously quoted Voltaire: “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” This showed his commitment to upholding freedom of expression. 

During a press conference, he once remarked, “I honestly believe that history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media or, for that matter, the Opposition parties in the parliament.” His calm, composed leadership and respect for democratic principles continue to resonate as a hallmark of his tenure.

Early life and education 

Dr Manmohan was a remarkable leader and individual. Let’s remember him by exploring his life and legacy. 

Born on September 26, 1932, in Gah village (now in Pakistan) before the partition, Manmohan Singh led a life marked by simplicity. From an early age, he placed a strong emphasis on education, which became a cornerstone of his life and career. His mother tongue was Punjabi. His early schooling was in Urdu, and he became proficient in both Urdu and Gurmukhi scripts. However, he was not familiar with the Devanagari script, which is used in Hindi. As a result, he often had his Hindi speeches written in Urdu to ensure better understanding and fluency. 

He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Economics from Panjab University in 1952 and 1954, respectively. His academic pursuits took him to the University of Cambridge, where he completed the Economics Tripos in 1957. After returning to India, he began his career in academia, serving as a teacher at Panjab University. He pursued a DPhil at the University of Oxford. His doctoral thesis was titled “India's Export Performance, 1951–1960: Export Prospects and Policy Implications.”

Early career

Dr Singh worked as a Professor at Panjab University and Delhi School of Economics, Delhi University. Before becoming the Finance Minister of India, he served as the chief economic adviser in the Ministry of Finance in 1972, secretary in the Finance Ministry in 1976. He was appointed as Governor of Reserve Bank of India in the year 1982. From 1985 to 1987, he also served a tenure as Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission. Dr Singh was Secretary General of the South Commission, which was an independent economic policy think thank in Switzerland. In addition to this, he held several important positions in various departments and ministries in India. 

Becoming the Minister of Finance

In June 1991, Dr Manmohan Singh was appointed as India’s Finance Minister, a role that would define his legacy and shape the nation’s economic future. His tenure was marked by bold and transformative decisions that steered India through a period of economic liberalisation. In the same year, Singh was elected to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament, by the legislature of Assam, and he was re-elected in 1995, 2001, 2007, and 2013. From 1998 to 2004, during the Bharatiya Janata Party's rule, Singh served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. In 1999, he contested the Lok Sabha elections from South Delhi but was unsuccessful.

Becoming the Prime Minister of India

In the 2004 general elections, the Indian National Congress led the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) to a decisive victory. Sonia Gandhi, the party leader, nominated Dr Manmohan Singh as the candidate for Prime Minister. He took the oath as India’s 14th Prime Minister on May 22, 2004, marking the beginning of a new era of governance.

Dr Manmohan Singh's first tenure as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2009 was marked by several landmark initiatives aimed at improving the lives of millions of Indians. In 2005, the government passed the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which guaranteed at least 100 days of wage employment to every rural household, providing a crucial safety net for the rural population. That same year, the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) was launched to provide affordable and accessible healthcare to rural communities.

In 2009, Singh’s government introduced the Right to Education (RTE) Act, which made education a fundamental right for children between the ages of 6 and 14, ensuring that millions of children across the country had access to quality education. Another significant achievement during his tenure was the establishment of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which launched the Aadhaar project. These initiatives not only shaped India’s socio-economic landscape but also laid the foundation for the country's future growth and development.

The second tenure

During Dr Manmohan Singh's second tenure as Prime Minister from 2009 to 2014, several key initiatives continued to shape India's development, ensuring stability and growth. Despite global economic challenges, India maintained a steady GDP growth during this period, reflecting the country’s resilience under his leadership. One of the most notable initiatives was the Aadhaar Project, which aimed to provide a unique identification number to every resident of India. 

In 2013, the National Food Security Act came into effect, a transformative policy aimed at addressing hunger and malnutrition in India. The Act sought to provide subsidised food grains to approximately two-thirds of India's population. These initiatives, along with others, highlight Dr Manmohan Singh’s commitment to inclusive growth and social welfare during his second term.

Manmohan Singh did not contest in 2014 general elections and resigned after BJP’s win. In April 2024, he resigned from the Rajya Sabha. 

A remarkable leader

Dr Manmohan Singh was widely regarded as one of India’s most influential leaders, leaving an indelible mark on the country's political and economic landscape. In 2006, CNN-IBN recognised him as the Indian of the Year. His global influence was also recognised in 2010, when Forbes ranked him 18th on its list of the World's Most Powerful People, describing him as "universally praised as India's best prime minister since Nehru." Time Magazine lauded his leadership, noting how he "guided India into the ranks of the great powers."

In his 2020 memoir A Promised Land, former US President Barack Obama referred to Manmohan Singh as "wise, thoughtful, and scrupulously honest," reflecting the high regard in which he was held internationally. Domestically, his contributions were recognised when he was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan in 1987, India’s second-highest civilian award, in recognition of his exceptional service to the nation. 

Books by Dr Manmohan Singh

Here are some remarkable books by Dr Manmohan Singh that you must read:

1.    A Decade of Economic Reforms: It outlines the challenges, successes, and lessons learned during a critical period of India's economic transformation.
2.    India's Economic Reforms: An Agenda for the Future: The book reflects his profound understanding of the economic landscape and offers practical solutions to the country's challenges.
3.    Changing India: This collection of essays examines the political, social, and economic changes that have shaped modern India. 

There is a famous quote by American General Douglas MacArthur that resonates deeply with Dr Manmohan Singh's life and leadership: “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.” Dr Singh’s political journey reflects these qualities. Throughout his career, he faced numerous challenges and setbacks, yet he remained steadfast in his commitment to serve the nation with selflessness and integrity. His leadership was not defined by the pursuit of power, but by his determination to make decisions that would benefit India’s future, even in the face of adversity.