Manmohan Singh was an Indian economist and politician, born on 26 September 1932 in Gah, West Punjab, now part of Pakistan. Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister of India from 2004 until 2014. He passed away at the age of 92. He is remembered as the first Sikh Prime Minister of India and is held on a certain pedestal due to the major transformation India's economy has seen under his work.
Early Life and Education
Manmohan Singh started his education at Panjab University, receiving his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Economics in 1952 and 1954, respectively. From here he came to the University of Cambridge and in 1957 received a First Class Honours degree in Economics and postgraduate work with a D.Phil. from Nuffield College, Oxford, in 1962. His early career entailed teaching at Punjab University, the Delhi School of Economics, and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
Political Career
His political career began as an economic advisor in the Ministry of Commerce in 1971. Soon, he rose to hold important positions like chief economic advisor and Secretary in the Ministry of Finance. In many ways, it was as Finance Minister from 1991 to 1996 that Singh's finance policies transformed Indian economics. Singh presented drastic reforms that liberalized the economy, cheapened the rupee, reduced tax burdens, and encouraged foreign investment into India when the economy was in devastating shape.
In 2004, the Indian National Congress swept the parliamentary elections, and Sonia Gandhi named Singh Prime Minister. Singh's government achieved inclusive growth and poverty reduction while continuing to pursue the economic boom, which spurred an average of around 7.7% during his five-year term. Singh was re-elected in 2009, but problems like inflation and corruption scandals hurt his administration's credibility.
Also Read | List of All Prime Ministers of India (1947-2025)
Achievements and Legacy
Millions of people were delivered from the clutches of poverty, and India emerged as a major world economic power in its success as a leader. Some landmark legislations of his government had enshrined rights to food, education, work, and information for citizens. Despite all these successes, controversies in his later years that trailed him and his government included, amongst others, the 2G spectrum allocation scam and allegations surrounding the
Commonwealth Games
He received many awards throughout his career. In 1987, he was conferred India's second-highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan. Singh has made very vital contributions to economics and has been recognized internationally to be one of the most influential figures in India and beyond.
Also Read | Dr. Manmohan Singh: Quotes, Books and Key Initiatives During First and Second Term as PM of India
Recent News
As of December 26, 2024, Dr. Manmohan Singh has passed away at the age of 92. His death marks the end of an era for Indian politics and economics; he is remembered for his profound contributions to India's development and economic reforms that have had lasting impacts on the nation. The death of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on December 26, 2024, has evoked a profound sense of sorrow and reflection across India. Political leaders from various parties, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress officials, paid tribute to Singh, acknowledging his significant contributions to India's economic reforms and governance. Social media users celebrated him as "the silent architect of modern India," highlighting his integrity and calm leadership style. The widespread mourning reflects a national recognition of Singh's pivotal role in shaping contemporary India, marking his passing as the end of an era in Indian politics.
Former PM Manmohan Singh passes away at 92
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) December 26, 2024
Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/cGeuOahMqQ#ManmohanSingh #demise #formerpm pic.twitter.com/6BwtPELp68
Awards and Honours
Dr. Manmohan Singh was conferred with numerous awards and honors during his illustrious career, which speaks to the importance of his contributions to India's economic and political landscape. Some of the most notable awards include:
- Padma Vibhushan: This is India's second-highest civilian honor, received in 1987.
- Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Award: Received from the Indian Science Congress in 1995.
- Finance Minister of the Year: Both Euromoney and Asiamoney awarded him in 1993 and 1994, respectively.
- Lifetime Achievement Honour: Awarded by the India-UK Achievers Honours in 2023 for his contributions in economic and political life.
- Honorary Degrees: He received honorary doctorates from leading institutions, including the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford.
He further won several international accolades. Some of them included Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers from Japan, conferred upon him in the year 2014; the same reflected his reach across the globe and acceptability in economic policy formulation.
Personal Life
Manmohan Singh is married to Gursharan Kaur and has three daughters. He is very humble in his nature and scholarly in his approach to governance. Even though he has left office, Singh remains an influential figure in Indian politics.
Singh's legacy is marked by his role in steering India away from a state-controlled economy towards a more market-oriented approach. His reforms not only rescued India from economic collapse but also laid the foundation for sustained growth and increased global integration. The entrepreneurial culture fostered during his tenure has led to a vibrant economy with a burgeoning middle class and increased consumerism.
Manmohan Singh's policies were highly important in reshaping India's economic landscape, promoting liberalization, and addressing social challenges through targeted initiatives. His tenure is often viewed as a turning point that set India on a path toward becoming an emerging global economic power.
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