Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, during a 2018 speech at an event in Mumbai, acknowledged that she recognized Dr. Manmohan Singh would be a more capable prime minister than her during the 2004 general elections. “I knew my limitations. I knew Manmohan Singh would be a better prime minister than me,” Gandhi had remarked.
Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh passed away on the night of December 26 at the age of 92. He is survived by his wife, Gurcharan Singh, and their three daughters. Singh served as India’s prime minister from 2004 to 2014.
Dr. Singh’s political journey began in 1991 when he was appointed as the finance minister in Prime Minister Narasimha Rao’s cabinet. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in shaping India’s economic liberalization by introducing key reforms. He was also instrumental in launching important schemes, including the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), expanding the public distribution system, and implementing the Right to Information Act.
As prime minister, Dr. Singh led several significant reforms, including land acquisition and resettlement policies, and the introduction of the Right to Education Act, which guaranteed free and compulsory education for children.
In a statement following his passing, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken described Dr. Singh as “one of the greatest champions of the US-India partnership.”
World and national leaders have paid tribute to Dr. Singh’s legacy as a renowned economist and statesman. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on social media, saying, “India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives.” Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi also shared his sorrow, stating, “I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the utmost pride.”
To honor his contributions to the nation, the central government has declared seven days of state mourning. Dr. Singh’s last rites will be conducted on Saturday with full state honors.
