Former PM Manmohan Singh passes away
New Delhi, Dec 26: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the architect of India’s economic reforms, died here Thursday night. He was 92.
Singh’s death was announced by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, where he was admitted to the emergency ward around 8:30 pm in a critical condition.
An AIIMS bulletin said: “He was treated for age-related medical conditions and had a sudden loss of consciousness at home” on December 26.
“Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to a medical emergency at AIIMS Delhi at 8:06 pm. Despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9:51 pm,” the bulletin said.
Singh, who was Prime Minister for two terms in the Congress-led UPA government from 2004 to 2014, had been in poor health for the last few months.
He is survived by his wife Gurcharan Singh and three daughters.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and her mother Sonia Gandhi reached the hospital as soon as the news of his hospitalisation became known.
Soon after the news of Singh’s death, President of India Droupadi Murmu posted on microblogging site X: “Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh Ji was one of those rare politicians who also straddled the worlds of academia and administration with equal ease. In his various roles in public offices, he made critical contributions to reforming the Indian economy. He will always be remembered for his service to the nation, his unblemished political life and his utmost humility. His passing is a great loss to all of us. I pay my respectful homage to one of the greatest sons of Bharat and convey my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and admirers.”
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar also condoled the death of the former PM, saying he transformed India's economic landscape.
“A Padma Vibhushan awardee and architect of India's economic liberalisation in 1991, Singh boldly steered our nation through a critical transition, opening new pathways for growth and prosperity,” the Vice President Secretariat said, quoting Dhankhar, who is also chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.
He said in Singh's passing, India lost a leader of towering intellect and a statesman par excellence.
“His legacy will forever guide India’s growth trajectory. My heartfelt condolences to his family and countless admirers in this difficult hour,” Dhankhar said.
He recalled that as the vice president, he had the privilege to engage in meaningful, insightful interactions with Singh at his residence.
“His profound understanding of the economy, gentle demeanour and unwavering commitment to India's progress will forever be etched in my memory,” Dhankhar said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the former PM’s demise and posted on X: “India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr Manmohan Singh Ji. Rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist. He served in various government positions as well, including as Finance Minister, leaving a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years. His interventions in Parliament were also insightful. As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives. Dr Manmohan Singh Ji and I interacted regularly when he was PM and I was the CM of Gujarat. We would have extensive deliberations on various subjects relating to governance. His wisdom and humility were always visible. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the family of Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji, his friends and countless admirers. Om Shanti.”
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge condoled Singh’s demise and posted on X: “Undoubtedly, history shall judge you kindly, Dr Manmohan Singh ji! With the passing of the former Prime Minister, India has lost a visionary statesman, a leader of unimpeachable integrity, and an economist of unparalleled stature. His policy of economic liberalisation and rights-based welfare paradigm profoundly transformed the lives of crores of Indians, virtually creating a middle class in India and lifting crores out of poverty. I mourn the loss of a lifelong senior colleague, a gentle intellectual and a humble soul who embodied the aspirations of India, having risen through the ranks with unwavering dedication. I am proud to have been a part of his cabinet as Labour Minister, Railway Minister and Social Welfare Minister. A man of action rather than words, his immense contribution to nation-building will forever be etched in the annals of Indian history. In this moment of sorrow, I extend my deepest and heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and countless admirers. May they get the strength to overcome this huge loss. His enduring legacy of ushering in India’s growth, welfare, and policies of inclusivity will forever be cherished. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed profound sorrow and grief over the demise of the former PM.
In his condolence message, the CM described Singh as a towering statesman and the architect of India’s economic reforms in the early 1990s, which transformed the nation’s economy.
“Dr Singh’s visionary leadership and path-breaking reforms laid the foundation for India’s economic boom, liberalizing markets and elevating the country to new heights of growth and development,” CM Omar said.
Recalling Singh’s tenure as PM, the CM highlighted his relentless efforts to uplift millions of Indians out of poverty through inclusive policies.
He also expressed gratitude for Singh’s significant contributions to J&K.
“Dr Manmohan Singh’s deep concern for the development of Jammu and Kashmir was evident throughout his tenure. His initiatives, including the extension of rail connectivity to the Kashmir Valley, brought new opportunities for the region and its people,” CM Omar said.
He also remembered Singh’s keen interest in fostering peace and development in J&K.
“His efforts to engage with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, along with his unwavering support for dialogue and reconciliation, reflected his deep commitment to the welfare of the region,” the CM said.
“Dr Manmohan Singh’s humility, intellect and dedication to the nation will always be remembered. His loss is an irreparable one for the country,” he said, offering his heartfelt condolences to Singh’s family, friends, and admirers during this difficult time.
CM Omar prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and strength for the bereaved family to bear this loss.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also condoled the demise of the former PM and said he remained steadfast in his commitment to serve the nation despite being subjected to unfair and deeply personal attacks by his opponents.
“Few people in politics inspire the kind of respect that Sardar Manmohan Singh Ji did. His honesty will always be an inspiration for us and he will forever stand tall among those who truly love this country as someone who remained steadfast in his commitment to serve the nation despite being subjected to unfair and deeply personal attacks by his opponents," Priyanka said in a post on X.
“He was genuinely egalitarian, wise, strong-willed and courageous until the end. A uniquely dignified gentleman in the rough world of politics,” she said.
Political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir cutting across party lines also condoled the death of the former PM and lauded his humility and his standing as an economist and statesman.
In a statement, the National Conference (NC) President and three-time chief minister Farooq Abdullah expressed profound grief over the demise of the former PM.
He hailed Singh’s immense contributions to India, remembering him as a statesman, economist, and pillar of integrity who led the nation with wisdom and humility.
Conveying condolences to the bereaved family, he prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to his loved ones in this hour of loss.
People’s Democratic Party President and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said Singh worked tirelessly to advance the peace process and usher in a new era of development in J&K.
“I had the privilege of meeting Dr Manmohan Singh and I am certain that he was one of the most humble and gentle souls I have encountered – an extremely rare trait in politicians today. His humility and kindness were evident even during his double tenure as prime minister when he would personally return calls,” Mehbooba said in a post on X.
She said Singh was a man of few words whose welfare schemes brought relief to millions of Indians cutting across caste, creed, and religion.
Singh’s former cabinet colleague and former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said he was deeply saddened by Singh’s demise.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr Manmohan Singh Ji, a visionary leader and one of India's most respected statesmen. As someone who had the privilege of serving in his cabinet twice, I witnessed firsthand his extraordinary humility, wisdom, and grace,” Azad said.
He said Singh empowered his teams to function with independence and trust, fostering an environment of collaboration and excellence.
“He provided India with much-needed economic leadership, global recognition, stability, and unity during challenging times,” the former union minister said.
Azad said that the former PM’s contributions as an economist and statesman would forever be etched in the history of a rising India.
“Dr Manmohan Singh's legacy is one of transformative leadership, inspiring countless individuals across generations. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones,” he said.
Other political leaders cutting across the divide also condoled the demise of the former PM.
Singh, who was finance minister under the then Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao, was the architect and the brainchild of economic reforms in 1991 that pulled India from the brink of bankruptcy and ushered in an era of economic liberalisation that is widely believed to have changed the course of India’s economic trajectory.
Singh died as the Congress party concluded its Congress Working Committee meeting at Belagavi in Karnataka, where all top party leaders were present.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi are on their way to Delhi from Belagavi.
Manmohan Singh – A Profile
Singh twice served as the PM of India from May 22, 2004 to May 26, 2014.
India’s 14th PM, Singh was acclaimed as a thinker and a scholar.
He was well regarded for his diligence and his academic approach to work, as well as his accessibility and his unassuming demeanour.
Singh was born on September 26, 1932, in a village in the Punjab province of undivided India.
He completed his Matriculation examinations from the Punjab University in 1948.
His academic career took him from Punjab to the University of Cambridge, UK, where he earned a First Class Honours degree in Economics in 1957.
Singh followed this with a D Phil in Economics from Nuffield College at Oxford University in 1962.
His book, ‘India’s Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth’ (Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1964) was an early critique of India’s inward-oriented trade policy.
Singh’s academic credentials were burnished by the years he spent on the faculty of Punjab University and the prestigious Delhi School of Economics.
He had a brief stint at the UNCTAD Secretariat as well, during these years.
This presaged a subsequent appointment as Secretary General of the South Commission in Geneva between 1987 and 1990.
In 1971, Singh joined the Government of India as an Economic Advisor in the Commerce Ministry.
This was soon followed by his appointment as Chief Economic Advisor in the Ministry of Finance in 1972. Among the many governmental positions that Singh occupied were Secretary in the Ministry of Finance; Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission; Governor of the Reserve Bank of India; Advisor of the Prime Minister; and Chairman of the University Grants Commission.
In what was to become the turning point in the economic history of independent India, Singh spent five years between 1991 and 1996 as India’s Finance Minister.
His role in ushering in a comprehensive policy of economic reforms is now recognised worldwide.
In the popular view of those years in India, that period is inextricably associated with the persona of Singh.
Among the many awards and honours conferred upon Singh in his public career, the most prominent are India’s second highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan (1987); the Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Award of the Indian Science Congress (1995); the Asia Money Award for Finance Minister of the Year (1993 and 1994); the Euro Money Award for Finance Minister of the Year (1993), the Adam Smith Prize of the University of Cambridge (1956); and the Wright’s Prize for Distinguished Performance at St John’s College in Cambridge (1955).
He has also been honoured by several other associations including the Japanese Nihon Keizai Shimbun.
Singh is a recipient of honorary degrees from many universities including the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford.
He represented India at many international conferences and in several international organisations.
Singh led Indian delegations to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Cyprus (1993) and the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna in 1993.
In his political career, Singh was a Member of India’s Upper House of Parliament (the Rajya Sabha) from 1991, where he was Leader of the Opposition between 1998 and 2004.
He was sworn in as Prime Minister on May 22 after the 2004 general elections and took the oath of office for a second term on May 22, 2009.
Singh is survived by his wife Gursharan Kaur and three daughters.
