On Thursday night the country lost its great leader and economist Dr. Manmohan Singh. 92-year-old former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh died at AIIMS Hospital in Delhi, where he was undergoing treatment for a long time. Known for his simplicity and steadfast leadership, Dr. Manmohan Singh gave a new direction to India in Indian politics, economy and on the global stage.
This article takes a detailed look at the life of Dr. Singh, his historic tenure and the contributions he made.
Renowned economist and two-time Prime Minister of the country, Dr. Manmohan Singh is no more.#ManmohanSinghPassesAway #ManmohanSingh #RIPManmohanSingh pic.twitter.com/1TNRBvJWOk
— News & Features Network (@newsnetmzn) December 26, 2024
Early life and education
Dr. Manmohan Singh was born on 26 September 1932 in Gah village of Punjab province of British India (now in Pakistan). After partition, his family came to India and he made education the biggest weapon in his struggling life.
- Journey of education:
- Graduation and Masters from Panjab University.
- PhD from Cambridge University.
- D.Phil from Oxford University.
Dr. Singh performed exceptionally in the field of education. He always topped his class and was praised for his talent many times by his teachers.
- Academic Life:
- Professor at Panjab University and Delhi School of Economics.
- Economic Affairs Officer at the United Nations.
Dr. Singh’s early life gave him a strong foundation on which he dreamed of taking the Indian economy to new heights.
Contribution to government services
Dr. Singh started his career as an economic advisor in government services. He served in various positions in the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Industry and Ministry of Finance.
- 1971-1976: Economic Advisor in the Ministry of Commerce.
- 1982-1985: Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
- 1985-1987: Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission.
- 1990-1991: Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister.
Dr. Singh’s expertise and honesty earned him an important position in the government. In view of his contribution, he was awarded the P.V. Award in 1991. Was made Finance Minister in Narasimha Rao government.
father of economic reforms
In 1991, when India was facing a serious economic crisis, Dr. Manmohan Singh, as the Finance Minister, brought about a historic change in the country’s economy.
- Liberalization and Globalization:
- Ending industrial licensing.
- Attracting foreign investment.
- Banking and financial sector reforms.
Dr. Singh implemented a new policy “Liberalization, Globalization and Privatization”, which gave a new direction to the Indian economy. India’s GDP boomed, and the country became recognized as a global economic power.
Historic tenure as Prime Minister
In 2004, Dr. Manmohan Singh was sworn in as the Prime Minister of India. He served as Prime Minister for two consecutive terms from 2004 to 2014. It was the result of his leadership that the UPA government maintained stability in the country.
- Historical Policies:
- Right to Information, 2005: Law promoting transparency.
- MNREGA, 2005: Right to employment in rural areas.
- Right to Education, 2009: Free education for children of 6-14 years.
- Food Security Act, 2013: Food grains to poor families at affordable rates.
- Land Acquisition Act, 2013: Protection of farmers’ rights.
During Dr. Singh’s tenure, India strengthened its position on many international forums.
India’s identity at the global level
Under the leadership of Dr. Singh, India also achieved great achievements in international relations.
- Nuclear deal:
A historic nuclear deal with the US was signed in 2008, which boosted India’s energy security. - Relations with China and Pakistan:
He tried to improve relations with neighboring countries with his peaceful approach. - G-20 and BRICS:
During his tenure, India became a prominent member of global groups like G-20 and BRICS.
Simple image of Dr. Singh
Dr. Manmohan Singh was known for his simplicity and honesty. From his dress to his speech, his humility was reflected in everything. Despite being the Prime Minister, he never adopted an over-enthusiastic or aggressive attitude.
Honors and Achievements
Dr. Singh was honored with many national and international awards for his services.
- 1987: Padma Vibhushan.
- 1993: Asia Money Award for Best Finance Minister.
- 1993: Euro Money Award.
His scholarship and policy understanding made him a source of inspiration not only in India but across the world.
His life and inspiration
The life of Dr. Manmohan Singh is a testament to what a person can achieve with his strong will and hard work. He was not only an efficient administrator but also a true patriot.
With his demise, the country has lost not only a leader but also a guide and source of inspiration.
Dr. Singh’s legacy
Dr. Manmohan Singh’s contribution is invaluable to Indian society, politics and economy. His policies and decisions will remain a source of inspiration for the coming generations.
