Dr. Manmohan Singh, the fourteenth Prime Minister of India passed away on 26 December 2024. He is widely recognized as a distinguished thinker and scholar. His legacy will be characterized by his dedication, scholarly approach to governance, approachability, and modest demeanor.
Early Life and education
He was born on 26 September 1932, in a village in the Punjab region of undivided India, Dr. Singh completed his Matriculation at Punjab University in 1948. His remarkable academic path led him to the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, where he obtained a First Class Honours degree in Economics in 1957. He further advanced his studies by earning a D. Phil in Economics from Nuffield College, Oxford University, in 1962. His early work, "India’s Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth" (Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1964), provided a critical analysis of India's inward-looking trade policies.
Public Life
In 1971, Dr. Singh began his career in public service as Economic Advisor in the Ministry of Commerce. This was quickly followed by his role as Chief Economic Advisor in the Ministry of Finance in 1972. Throughout his career, he occupied several key positions, including Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Advisor to the Prime Minister, and Chairman of the University Grants Commission.
From 1991 to 1996, Dr. Singh held the position of Finance Minister, a period that marked a significant turning point in India's economic landscape. His contributions to the implementation of extensive economic reforms are celebrated worldwide. The transformative changes during those years are inextricably linked to his vision and leadership.
The Congress party achieved a significant resurgence in the 2004 elections. Although Congress leader Sonia Gandhi was anticipated to assume the role of Prime Minister, several members of the outgoing government expressed concerns regarding her Italian origins. Ultimately, she chose not to accept the position and instead recommended the name of Manmohan Singh, who was regarded as a non-controversial candidate with a reputation for personal integrity. In the subsequent parliamentary elections, he played a crucial role in securing a larger mandate for his party; however, detractors frequently labeled him as a "remote-controlled" prime minister under the influence of the Gandhi family.
In 1984, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards. Her assassination triggered widespread violence, leading to the deaths of over 3,000 Sikhs and extensive destruction of their properties. In 2005, Manmohan Singh formally expressed regret to the nation in Parliament, stating that the violence represented "the negation of the concept of nationhood enshrined in our constitution."
In 2008, Manmohan Singh negotiated a landmark agreement with the United States to end India's nuclear isolation following its nuclear tests in 1998. His administration contended that this agreement would address India's increasing energy demands and support its robust economic growth. This deal was regarded as a pivotal moment in India-U.S. relations, as it provided India with a waiver to initiate civilian nuclear trade with the United States and other nations.
Manmohan Singh implemented new legislation that enhanced and ensured the right to access information from the government, empowering citizens to hold officials accountable. He also launched a rural employment initiative that guaranteed at least 100 days of work, a policy that economists noted had a significant effect on rural income levels and poverty alleviation. Additionally, he enacted a law that assured the right to free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14, which notably decreased school dropout rates. His administration also introduced the Aadhar project, aimed at improving financial inclusion and the distribution of welfare benefits to the underprivileged.
Lessons from his life
It could be understood from a real life story, Arun, who acted as Manmohan Singh's close protection officer for nearly three years during his time with the Special Protection Group (SPG), he reveal that, as the Assistant Inspector General of the Close Protection Team, his duty was to remain with the prime minister at all times, akin to a shadow. If only one bodyguard could accompany him, it had to be me. Despite having access to a range of high-security vehicles, including an opulent BMW for official engagements, Manmohan Singh frequently voiced his preference for the unassuming car. Arun remembered Singh stating, "Asim, I prefer not to travel in this car (BMW). My car is the Maruti." He would attempt to explain the security necessities of the advanced BMW, yet the former prime minister's attention would invariably shift to the Maruti Suzuki 800 as they passed it in the motorcade.
"It was as if he was reaffirming his identity as a middle-class individual and his dedication to the welfare of the common man. While the BMW might represent the splendor of the prime ministerial role, in his heart, he regarded the Maruti as his true vehicle," Arun remarked.
Conclusion
Regardless of the level of success or power one attains, the virtues of simplicity, intelligence, and a genuine smile will consistently earn goodwill and respect from both rivals and supporters. It is essential to remain grounded and cherish the original values and individuals who contributed to one’s journey.
Ultimately, ascending from modest beginnings and rising to the highest office in the nation, all while maintaining a demeanor of humility and warmth, is a lesson worth embracing and integrating into one’s life.
Dr. Singh once remarked: History will be kinder to me, than the contemporary media and opposition in the parliament.
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