Dr. Manmohan Singh, a renowned economist and politician, served as the 13th Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014. Known for his integrity, intellect, and soft-spoken demeanor, he played a pivotal role in shaping modern India’s economic and political trajectory.
Early Life and Education
- Born: September 26, 1932, in Gah (now in Pakistan’s Punjab province).
- Education:
- Studied at Panjab University, Chandigarh.
- Attended the University of Cambridge (St. John’s College) for a degree in economics.
- Earned a doctorate (D.Phil.) in economics from the University of Oxford (Nuffield College) in 1962.
His thesis focused on “India’s Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth.”
Academic and Professional Career
- Academic Roles:
- Taught at Panjab University and Delhi School of Economics.
- Served as a professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
- Economist Roles:
- Chief Economic Advisor, Ministry of Finance, Government of India (1972–1976).
- Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (1982–1985).
- Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission (1985–1987).
Entry into Politics
Dr. Singh entered politics in 1991 when he was appointed as the Finance Minister by Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao. At the time, India faced a severe economic crisis.
Contributions as Finance Minister (1991–1996):
- Introduced significant economic reforms, marking the beginning of India’s liberalization.
- Opened the Indian economy to foreign investment.
- Reduced bureaucratic controls and trade barriers.
- Devalued the Indian rupee to encourage exports.
- His reforms laid the foundation for India’s rapid economic growth in the subsequent decades.
Prime Ministerial Tenure (2004–2014)
- Dr. Singh became India’s first Sikh Prime Minister.
- Led two successive United Progressive Alliance (UPA) governments.
Achievements:
- Economic Growth:
- Oversaw an era of robust GDP growth, especially during the early years of his tenure.
- Landmark Policies:
- National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA).
- Right to Information Act (RTI).
- Food Security Bill.
- Civil Nuclear Deal:
- Negotiated the historic India–US Civil Nuclear Agreement in 2008.
- Social Welfare Programs:
- Focused on poverty alleviation, rural development, and education.
- Inclusive Growth:
- Emphasized inclusive development and reducing income inequality.
Challenges:
- Faced criticism over corruption scandals, including the 2G spectrum case, coal allocation scam, and Commonwealth Games controversy.
- His leadership was questioned for being overshadowed by Congress party leader Sonia Gandhi.
Legacy
- Personal Integrity: Known for his honesty and clean image, even his critics acknowledged his ethical approach to governance.
- Economic Architect: Widely regarded as the architect of modern India’s liberalized economy.
- Quiet Leadership: His understated style of leadership earned respect but also criticism for perceived indecisiveness during crises.
Post-Prime Ministership
Dr. Singh remains a respected figure in Indian politics and academia. He continues to influence discussions on economic policy and governance.
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Awards and Honors
- Padma Vibhushan (1987): India’s second-highest civilian award.
- Numerous honorary degrees and accolades from prestigious institutions worldwide.
Personal Life
- Married to Gursharan Kaur, with whom he has three daughters.
- Dr. Singh is known for his simple lifestyle, dedication to public service, and soft-spoken demeanor.
Death
Dr. Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India and a distinguished economist, passed away on December 26, 2024, at the age of 92. He collapsed at his New Delhi residence and was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), where he died a few hours later.
Dr. Singh’s health had been declining in recent years, with multiple hospitalizations for various ailments, including cardiac issues and COVID-19.
