Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh passes away at 92

Dr. Manmohan Singh, the 13th Prime Minister of India, passed away on December 26, 2024, at the age of 92. He died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, after a sudden loss of consciousness at home. Despite resuscitative efforts at home, he was brought to AIIMS at 8:06 PM, where he was declared dead at 9:51 PM.

Born on September 26, 1932, in Gah (now in Pakistan), Dr. Singh was a distinguished economist and public servant. He earned his undergraduate degree in Economics from Punjab University and went on to pursue graduate studies at the University of Cambridge, followed by a doctorate in Economics from the University of Oxford. His academic career was complemented by roles at various international institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, as well as serving as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) from 1982 to 1985.

Dr. Singh’s tenure as India’s Finance Minister from 1991 to 1996 was a turning point in the country’s economic history. His role in the liberalization of India’s economy, which included reducing import restrictions, encouraging foreign investments, and devaluing the rupee, helped modernize India’s economic framework. These policies are widely credited with stimulating the country’s rapid economic growth over the next few decades.

In 2004, Dr. Singh became Prime Minister of India, leading the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for two consecutive terms until 2014. During his tenure, he oversaw several landmark policies, including the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which aimed to reduce poverty, and the India-US civil nuclear agreement, which boosted India’s nuclear energy sector. His government also faced significant challenges, including dealing with corruption scandals, which marred the latter part of his tenure.

Dr. Singh was known for his calm and intellectual demeanor. His leadership style was marked by consensus-building and a focus on economic stability. He represented Assam in the Rajya Sabha for over 30 years and was instrumental in shaping India’s political and economic landscape during his career. His expertise in governance, diplomacy, and economics earned him respect both domestically and internationally.

Dr. Singh is survived by his wife, Gursharan Kaur, and their three daughters. His death marks the end of a significant era in Indian politics and economics, with many leaders across the world paying tribute to his lifelong contributions to India’s development.