Manmohan Singh: India Mourns the Loss of a Visionary Economist and Statesman

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Manmohan Singh

Key Points:

  • Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, aged 92, passed away at AIIMS Delhi on December 26, 2024.
  • Singh was India’s first Sikh Prime Minister, serving from 2004 to 2014, and a key architect of India’s economic liberalization.
  • Credited for steering India through economic crises and fostering sustainable growth.
  • His demise marks the end of an era of thoughtful leadership and economic transformation.

New Delhi: India lost one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Thursday night. The former Prime Minister, aged 92, passed away at AIIMS Delhi after a sudden health deterioration. Singh, who served as the Prime Minister for two consecutive terms from 2004 to 2014, was an economist par excellence and a statesman remembered for his transformative policies.

In a statement, AIIMS Delhi shared details of his passing:
“With profound grief, we inform the demise of Former Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, aged 92. He was being treated for age-related medical conditions and had sudden loss of consciousness at home on December 26, 2024. Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the Medical Emergency at AIIMS, New Delhi, at 8:06 PM. Despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9:51 PM.”

A Life of Academic and Political Brilliance
Born on September 26, 1932, in Gah, West Punjab (now in Pakistan), Singh’s journey from a modest village to the corridors of power is an inspiring tale of grit and intellect. After earning degrees in Economics from Panjab University, the University of Cambridge, and a D.Phil. from Nuffield College, Oxford, Singh embarked on a career that spanned academia, international organizations, and Indian governance.

He taught at institutions like Panjab University and the Delhi School of Economics before joining the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Architect of Modern India’s Economic Framework
Singh’s career as an economist and policymaker reshaped India’s destiny. As Finance Minister in the Narasimha Rao government, his historic 1991 budget paved the way for economic liberalization, dismantling the license raj and opening India to global markets. His tenure as Prime Minister continued this legacy, marked by policies that fostered entrepreneurial growth, strengthened the middle class, and positioned India as an emerging global economic powerhouse.

His leadership during the global financial crisis of 2008 demonstrated his economic acumen, shielding India from severe repercussions and ensuring resilience through prudent fiscal measures.

Remembering a Gentleman Statesman
Dr. Singh was not just an economist but a leader who sought to address social challenges through policies focused on health, education, and welfare. His calm demeanor, intellectual clarity, and commitment to public service earned him respect across political divides.

Manmohan Singh

Global Tributes Pour In
World leaders and economists have hailed Singh as a towering figure who balanced pragmatism with idealism. President of India Droupadi Murmu described him as “a guiding light who shaped modern India’s economic policies with vision and dedication.”

A Nation in Grief
As India mourns the loss of its first Sikh Prime Minister and a reformist economist, his contributions to the country’s socio-economic fabric remain etched in history. Dr. Singh’s legacy will continue to inspire generations as a testament to the power of intellect, perseverance, and statesmanship.

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