Dr. Manmohan Singh, Former Prime Minister And Economic Reformer, Passes Away

India mourns the passing of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, who died on December 26, 2024, at 92. Renowned for his pivotal role in shaping India’s economic landscape, his death has led to a flood of tributes from leaders across the world.

A Sudden Loss

After experiencing age-related health problems, Dr Singh passed away at home and was taken to AIIMS, Delhi. At 9:51 PM, he was declared dead despite attempts to revive him. Leaders including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra paid their respects after his mortal remains were brought to his home.

Seven days of national mourning has been declared by the government, and Dr Singh's last ceremonies will be held with full state honours.

Tributes from Leaders

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow following Dr Singh's passing, recalling their interactions during his tenure as Prime Minister. Modi said, "Dr Manmohan Singh Ji and I interacted regularly when he was Prime Minister and I was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. We had extensive discussions on governance. His wisdom and humility were always visible." He added, “His contributions to India’s growth will never be forgotten. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with his family, friends, and admirers. Om Shanti.”

In a tribute, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge highlighted Singh's enormous achievements to the country and called him a "gentle intellectual" and a "humble soul." He said, "Undoubtedly, history shall judge you kindly, Dr Manmohan Singh Ji!"

Other leaders, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, also paid their respects. Sitharaman acknowledged Dr Singh’s significant role in India’s economic liberalization, saying, “He laid the foundation for the economic growth we are experiencing today.” Rajnath Singh described Dr. Singh as a man of high integrity, whose legacy would continue to inspire future generations.

A Legacy of Economic Reform

Dr Singh is acknowledged for establishing India's economic liberalisation policy. In the early 1990s, he opened India's economy to the rest of the world by enacting reforms as Finance Minister that lowered trade restrictions and promoted growth. His tenure as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 also saw major initiatives such as MGNREGA and the Right to Education Act.

Despite being recognized for his leadership during the global financial crisis Dr Singh's second term faced challenges like rising inflation and accusations of policy paralysis. But his reputation as a transformational leader remains. For many years to come, India's governance and economic policies would be shaped by his impact.