Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away on December 26 in New Delhi, was a man of thought. He was 92. He was an economist and scholar who ushered in a comprehensive policy of economic reforms.
ALSO READ: Tragic Christmas Market Attack In Germany: 2 Dead, 68 Injured | Elon Musk Sparks Controversy
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, announced his death. The AIIMS bulletin said: “He was treated for age-related medical conditions and had a sudden loss of consciousness at home”.
It further read: “Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to a medical emergency at AIIMS Delhi at 8.06 pm. Despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9.51 pm,”.
ALSO READ: “Promises Delivered”: Raghav Chadha Highlights AAP’s Delhi Record
A national mourning of 7 days has been declared, while all government programs scheduled for Friday have been canceled. A Cabinet meeting has been scheduled for 11 am on Friday to pay tribute to the former prime minister.
PM Modi also shared his condolences in a post on X. He wrote, “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 policy over the years. His interventions in parliament were also insightful. As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives”.
Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji and I interacted regularly when he was PM and I was the CM of Gujarat. We would have extensive deliberations on various subjects relating to governance. His wisdom and humility were always visible.
In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the family of… pic.twitter.com/kAOlbtyGVs
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 26, 2024
Singh directed the country for 10 years as the head of the Congress-led UPA government. Singh served as prime minister for two consecutive terms from 2004 to 2014. Manmohan Singh was the first person from the Sikh community to become Prime Minister. He took the oath of office for a second term on May 22, 2009.
ALSO READ: Coldwave, Thunderstorm, Hail, Smog: IMD Issues Alert To North India
Before assuming office as India’s fourteenth Prime Minister in May 2004, Manmohan also held several political responsibilities. He served as a member of Rajya Sabha from 1991 and Leader of the Opposition between 1998 and 2004. His 33-year-long tenure in the Rajya Sabha ended in April this year.
LoP Rahul Gandhi also shared a post on X. He wrote “I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the utmost pride”.
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
Congress MP from Wayanad Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and her mother Sonia Gandhi visited the hospital as soon as the news of Manmohan Singh’s hospitalization came out.
He is often credited for opening the Indian economy to global competition. But some of his soft skills are lesser known. Singh could speak Hindi and English fluently. However, his speeches were written in Urdu due to his proficiency in the language. Singh was often seen citing Urdu couplets to defend himself or target the opposition.
ALSO READ: “Teach Your Children The Ramayana, Or…”: Kumar Vishwas Sparks Controversy
One of his most famous poetic statements was: “Hazaro jawabo’n se achi hai meri khamoshi, jo kayi sawalo ki aabru dhak leti hai.” Which translates to “My silence is better than the answer, which takes away the dignity of the questions.”
During the 15th Lok Sabha, i.e. the period from 2009 to 2014 Sushma Swaraj, then Leader of the Opposition, engaged in several poetic banter with the former prime minister. Both leaders would throw up Urdu couplets to take on each other. One such instance occurred in March 2011, during a heated discussion on a Wikileaks cable. The BJP alleged Congress had bribed MPs during the 2008 trust vote.
ALSO READ: Tamil Nadu BJP Chief Annamalai Whips Himself Demands Justice
Sushma Swaraj reciting Shahab Jafari’s lines said, “Tu idhar udhar ki na baat kar, yeh bata ki kafila kyun luta, humein rahjano se gila nahi, teri rahbari ka sawal hai” (Don’t change the topic, just tell why the caravan was looted, we have nothing to say about the robbers, but this is a question on your leadership).
To which Manmohan Singh responded with Allama Iqbal’s couplet stating, “Mana ki teri deed ke kaabil nahin hoon main, tu mera shauq dekh mera intezar dekh” (I know I am not worth your attention, but look at my longing).
Another such instance occurred in 2013, during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address. Then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, looking at Sushma Swaraj, quoted Mirza Ghalib’s couplets. He said, “Hum ko un se wafa ki hai umeed, jo nahin jante wafa kya hai (We are expecting loyalty from those who do not know the meaning of the word).”
ALSO READ: Bangladesh: 8 Idols, 3 Hindu Temples Vandalized, 1 Arrested
BJP’s Sushma Swaraj was also well-versed in Urdu. She responded by saying that a couplet should be countered by a couplet. Quoting a very famous poet Bashir Badr’s ‘sher’ she said, “Kuch toh majboorian rahi hongi, yun hi koi bewafaa nahi hota (there must have been some compulsions, nobody becomes disloyal for no reason).”
Another instance of Singh showcasing his soft skills was his reply to the no-confidence motion against his government in 2008. Singh said, “The greatness of democracy is that we are all birds of passage! We are here today, gone tomorrow! But in the brief time that the people of India entrust us with this responsibility, it is our duty to be honest and sincere in the discharge of these responsibilities.”
Singh was born in Gah which is today Pakistan. Singh’s family migrated to India during the partition in 1947. After obtaining his doctorate in economics from the University of Oxford, Singh worked for the United Nations during 1966–1969.
ALSO READ: Zomato Rider Forced To Remove Santa Costume By Right-Wing Activist
He subsequently began his bureaucratic career when Lalit Narayan Mishra hired him as an advisor in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. During the 1970s and 1980s, Singh held several key posts in the Government of India, such as Chief Economic Advisor (1972–1976), governor of the Reserve Bank (1982–1985) and head of the Planning Commission (1985–1987).
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.
