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BIG STORY JANUARY 03, 2025 | The Indian Eye 5

after the Bharatiya Janata Party-led
NDA government suffered a shock Manmohan Singh was on the
defeat in the 2004 Lok Sabha polls, faculty of Punjab University and
he was given the leadership of the
Congress-led United Progressive Al- the Delhi School of Economics.
liance (UPA) government. He had a brief stint at the UNC-
Apart from taking steps for high
and inclusive economic growth, Man- TAD Secretariat as well, during
mohan Singh showed his political these years. This presaged a
skills as he went ahead with Indo-US
nuclear deal despite strong political subsequent appointment as
opposition and Left parties with- Secretary General of the South
drawing support to his government.
With Manmohan Singh as Prime Commission in Geneva between
Minister, Congress increased its 1987 and 1990.
number of seats in the May 2009 Lok
Sabha polls.
However, the later part of the In 1971, he joined the Govern-
second UPA government saw allega- Manmohan Singh meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi (File photo) ment of India as Economic Advisor
tions of corruption with the opposi- in the Commerce Ministry. This was
tion accusing the ruling coalition of soon followed by his appointment as
“policy paralysis”. With Congress Chief Economic Advisor in the Min-
keen on pushing Rahul Gandhi, son istry of Finance in 1972. Among the
of Sonia Gandhi, in the leadership many positions that Dr Singh held
role, Manmohan Singh said in early were Finance Secretary, Deputy
2014 that he would not seek a third Chairman of the Planning Commis-
term as prime minister in the 2014 sion; Advisor of the Prime Minis-
Lok Sabha polls. ter; and Chairman of the University
He left office on May 26 as Nar- Grants Commission.
endra Modi took oath as Prime Min- A recipient of India’s second
ister as head of the coalition govern- highest civilian honor, the Padma
ment led by the BJP. Vibhushan in 1987, Manmohan
Congress leaders state that under Singh was honored with several
Manmohan Singh’s stewardship, “In- awards.
dia witnessed the highest growth rate He was conferred the Asia Mon-
in its history, averaging at 7.7 per cent”. ey Award for Finance Minister of
Manmohan Singh completed his the Year (1993 and 1994); the Euro
Matriculation examinations from the Former PM Manmohan Singh with Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul (File photo) Money Award for Finance Minister
Punjab University in 1948. His aca- of the Year (1993), the Adam Smith
demic career took him from Punjab He followed this with a D. Phil in for Self-Sustained Growth” [Claren- Prize of the University of Cambridge
to the University of Cambridge, UK, Economics from Nuffield College at don Press, Oxford, 1964] was an ear- (1956); and the Wright’s Prize for
where he earned a First-Class Hon- Oxford University in 1962. His book, ly critique of India’s inward-oriented Distinguished Performance at St.
ors degree in Economics in 1957. “India’s Export Trends and Prospects trade policy. John’s College in Cambridge (1955).
India mourns a distinguished leader

ndia mourns the loss of one of its most distin- ing. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, one who bore no ill-will or malice to anyone. He be-
guished leaders, Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. Ris- and admirers. Om Shanti – BJP president JP Nadda lieved in and practiced the politics of dialogue, con-
Iing from humble origins, he rose to become a Manmohan Singh Ji led India with immense sensus, and accommodation even under difficult
respected economist. He served in various govern- wisdom and integrity. His humility and deep under- circumstances -- Congress leader Jairam Ramesh
ment positions as well, including as Finance Minis- standing of economics inspired the nation. My heart- A world-renowned economist and the architect
ter, leaving a strong imprint on our economic policy felt condolences to Mrs. Kaur and the family. I have behind the liberalization of the Indian economy, Dr
over the years. His interventions in Parliament were lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired Manmohan Singh Ji steered India through diffi-
also insightful. As our Prime Minister, he made ex- him will remember him with the utmost pride -- Con- cult times and into a new era. An Oxford-educated
tensive efforts to improve people’s lives – Prime Min- gress leader Rahul Gandhi economist, he spearheaded India’s 1991 economic
ister Narendra Modi reforms and led the nation as Prime Minister with
His policy of economic liberalization and rights-
The passing of Former Prime Minister and quiet determination, proving that intellect and in-
Economist Shri Manmohan Singh ji is an immense based welfare paradigm profoundly transformed the tegrity can drive transformative change. I join the
loss for the nation. A visionary statesman and a lives of crores of Indians, virtually creating a Middle nation in mourning the passing of one of our most
stalwart of Indian politics, throughout his remark- Class in India and lifting crores out of poverty -- Con- distinguished statesmen. His legacy will endure and
able career in public service, he consistently voiced gress president Mallikarjun Kharge inspire generations to come. I consider myself bless-
for the welfare of the downtrodden. His leadership The Indo-US nuclear agreement was a land- ed and privileged to have had the opportunity to
earned admiration and respect across party lines. mark that enhanced India’s global status. His Prime work alongside him in the Rajya Sabha. My deep-
Shri Manmohan Singh Ji’s legacy will continue to Ministership saw the highest GDP growth rate in the est condolences to his family. RIP, Sir. Om Shanti
inspire generations in their pursuit of nation-build- country’s history. He was a gentleman to the core, and -- Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha

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