The Architect of India's Transformation
Dr. Manmohan Singh, a man whose name is etched in the annals of Indian history as one of its most transformative leaders, stands as a beacon of economic and social change. Born on September 26, 1932, in Gah (now in Pakistan), Singh’s journey from a brilliant economist to the Prime Minister of India is a story of dedication, resilience, and intellectual rigor. His early academic achievements laid a strong foundation for his future as a key policy maker. Singh's advanced education at Panjab University, Oxford, and Cambridge in economics prepared him to navigate India’s complex economic challenges.
Dr Singh credited with successfully anchoring the sinking ship of the Indian economy by ushering in bold economic reforms under Prime Minister P V Narasimha. It is in this backdrop.”No power on earth can stop an idea whose time has come. The emergence of India as a major economic power is one such idea,” he had said in his 1991 Budget Speech. Facing a severe balance of payments crisis and an economy on the brink of collapse, he implemented bold reforms that laid the foundation for the country’s economic transformation. Singh’s liberalization measures, such as dismantling the License Raj, reducing trade tariffs, devaluing the rupee, and promoting foreign direct investment, were revolutionary. These steps, though initially controversial, unleashed the potential of India’s economy, spurring growth and positioning the country as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Under his leadership, India witnessed unprecedented economic reforms that are often credited with changing the global perception of the Indian economy.
Beyond growth, Dr. Singh’s tenure was marked by a profound commitment to inclusive development. His government focused on bridging the gap between economic growth and social welfare. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), passed in 2005, provided 100 days of guaranteed wage employment to rural households, drastically improving livelihoods in India’s heartland, and Provided bedrock support during Covid 19 cricis. The National Food Security Act (NFSA) of 2013 further reflected his vision for an equitable society by ensuring subsidized food for over two-thirds of the Indian . Moreover, the Right to Education (RTE) Act, which made education free and compulsory for children between the ages of 6 and 14, ensured that the fruits of India’s economic success reached the most marginalized sections of society.
In the political arena, Dr. Singh’s leadership was characterized by a steady and pragmatic approach to governance. Known for his calm demeanor and intellectual depth, Singh often navigated through turbulent political waters with grace. Singh was also instrumental in the passage of the Right to Information (RTI) Act in 2005, which empowered Citizens against State and made Govt Accountable and Transparent. His tenure as Prime Minister (2004-2014) saw India grow at an average annual rate of 8%, lifting millions out of poverty, even as he faced multiple challenges, from coalition politics to global economic crises. Yet, despite the controversies that often surrounded his government, Singh’s contributions to India’s rise on the global stage remain undeniable.
As he once remarked, “I have no regrets,” his legacy as a key architect of modern India’s economic and social development endures, cementing his place as one of the nation’s most influential leaders. This recognition of his own contributions, however, has grown considerably in the years following his tenure. Addressing a press conference in January 2014, in what was one of his last media interactions, Singh had said, “I do not believe that I have been a weak Prime Minister ... I honestly believe that history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media or for that matter the Opposition in Parliament.
Surely history is kinder to him.
Adil Jameel , AA(P), Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj UT of J and K
