Manmohan Singh, the father of economic reforms in India is no more
#News Bureau December 27,2024
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh passed away. He was 92 years old. He was suffering from age-related diseases for a long time. He was admitted to the emergency department of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Thursday evening, where he breathed his last.
India’s 14th Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was considered the architect of the country’s economic reforms. He was 92 years old. Born on September 26, 1932 in Gah village of West Punjab (now in Pakistan), Manmohan Singh obtained a postgraduate degree in economics from Punjab University, Chandigarh and later received a doctorate from Oxford University.
Manmohan Singh was admitted to AIIMS Delhi on Thursday evening after his health deteriorated. Confirming his death in a statement, AIIMS said, ‘With deep sorrow we are informing about the demise of former Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh at the age of 92. He was being treated for age-related ailments and suddenly fainted at home on 26 December 2024. He was brought to the Medical Emergency of AIIMS, New Delhi at 8:06 pm. Despite all efforts, he could not be saved and was declared dead at 9:51 pm.’
Prime Minister Modi has condoled the death of Manmohan Singh. He said, ‘India is mourning the demise of Dr. Manmohan Singh ji, one of its most distinguished leaders. Rising from a humble background, he became a distinguished economist. He held various government positions including Finance Minister and left a deep mark on our economic policy for years. His interventions in Parliament were also very insightful. As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve the lives of the people.
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said, ‘Manmohan Singh Ji led India with great wisdom and integrity. His humility and deep understanding of economics inspired the entire nation. My heartfelt condolences to Mrs Kaur and her family. I have lost a mentor. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with immense pride.’
Before his political career, he had an eventful journey in government service. Starting as an economic adviser in the Ministry of Foreign Trade in 1971, he quickly rose through the ranks. By 1976, he was the chief economic adviser in the Ministry of Finance. Over the years, he held several key roles, including director of the Reserve Bank of India, alternate governor for India in the Asian Development Bank and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and member (finance) in the Atomic Energy and Space Commissions.
As prime minister, Manmohan Singh prioritised inclusive growth, social welfare and diplomacy, steering India out of global economic challenges and strengthening the country’s position on the world stage.
Manmohan Singh has been away from politics in recent years for health reasons and has been unwell since early 2024. He was last seen in public at the launch of his daughter’s book in January 2024. He retired from the Rajya Sabha in April 2024.
Manmohan Singh served two consecutive terms as Prime Minister leading a coalition government under the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance from 2004 to 2014. He was the architect of India’s economic liberalisation as Finance Minister in the PV Narasimha Rao government in 1991.
His tenure as Prime Minister saw unprecedented economic growth, establishing India as the world’s fastest-growing major economy. He introduced landmark social reforms such as MNREGA and the Right to Information Act. He also negotiated the historic Indo-US civil nuclear deal, ending India’s decades of nuclear isolation.
