Tributes and reactions are pouring in since Thursday night as the nation mourns the demise of former prime minister Manmohan Singh who is widely considered a visionary and the architect of India's economic reforms.
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh passed away at the age of 92 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi on December 26. Singh's appointment as the finance minister is often considered a major turning point in the history of independent India's economic landscape which included bold economic reforms, abolition of licence raj and opening of many sectors to private players and foreign players to enhance capital flow.
Tributes and reactions are pouring in since Thursday night as the nation mourns the demise of former prime minister Manmohan Singh who is widely considered a visionary and the architect of India's economic reforms.
Singh passed away at the age of 92 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, where he was admitted in the Emergency ward around 8.30 PM in a critical condition.
The Congress on Thursday called off all official party programmes as tribute to the former PM. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said that all programmes of the party will resume on January 3, 2025.
The Union government declared a seven-day mourning in honour of former prime minister Manmohan Singh, PTI reported citing officials. The Cabinet will be meeting at 11am on Friday to pay tributes to the “architect of India's economic reforms”.
Known as a soft spoken leader, a gentleman politician and a man of few words, Singh during his two consecutive tenures between 2004 and 2014, battled allegations of corruption against his government. He is survived by his wife Gursharan Kaur, a history professor, and three daughters.
Singh's appointment as the finance minister is often considered a major turning point in the history of independent India's economic landscape which included bold economic reforms, abolition of licence raj and opening of many sectors to private players and foreign players to enhance capital flow.
Condoling the demise of Manmohan Singh, President Droupadi murmu said, "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 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."
Paying tributes to his predecessor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders whose wisdom and humility were always visible.
In a post on X, Modi said, "His interventions in Parliament were also insightful. As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people's lives."
Top leaders of the ruling BJP also paid rich tributes to former prime minister Manmohan Singh, with its president J P Nadda describing his death as immense loss for the nation.
Home Minister Amit Shah said Singh played an important role in governing the country in different capacities, including as RBI governor, finance minister and then prime minister.
Nadda said on X, "A visionary statesman and a stalwart of Indian politics, throughout his remarkable career in public service, he consistently voiced for the welfare of the downtrodden. His leadership earned admiration and respect across party lines."
With heavy hearts, Congress leaders paid tribute to their leader and the economic reformist who played akey role in transforming Indian economy.
Congress leader and Leader of Oppostion in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, in a heartfelt message on X, remembered Singh as a mentor and guide.
"Manmohan Singh Ji led India with immense wisdom and integrity. His humility and deep understanding of economics inspired the nation. My heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Kaur and the family. I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the utmost pride," Gandhi wrote.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge described Singh as a “visionary statesman” and a “humble soul,” highlighting his transformative impact on India.
“With the passing of the former Prime Minister, India has lost a leader of unimpeachable integrity and an economist of unparalleled stature. His economic liberalisation policies and rights-based welfare paradigm lifted millions out of poverty and created India라이브 바카라 middle class,” Kharge said in a post on X.
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Wayanad Congress MP, Priyanka Gandhi, said that a few people in politics would inspire the kind of respect that Singh did.
Taking to X, Priyanka Gandhi said, "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. He was genuinely egalitarian, wise, strongwilled and courageous until the end. A uniquely dignified and gentle man in the rough world of politics."
Another Veteran Congress leader, Shashi Tharoor, stated that the party has cancelled all the programmes and the leaders are rushing back to Delhi. He said, "It's very tragic. He was a great prime minister who served the nation. We are cancelling all our programmes and rushing back to Delhi. I remember him as a wonderful man, a good leader, a compassionate individual, a great visionary."
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Reactions are coming in from world leaders as well will US Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling him "one of the greatest champions of the bilateral strategic partnership."
“Dr Singh was one of the greatest champions of the US-India strategic partnership, and his work laid the foundation for much of what our countries have accomplished together in the past two decades,” US Secretary of State Tony Blinken said.
Offering sincere condolences to the people of India for the passing of Singh, Blinken said the leadership of the former prime minister in advancing the US-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement signified a major investment in the potential of the US-India relationship.
Condoling Singh's death, Former President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai in a post on X said that India has lost one of its most illustrious sons while calling him an "unwavering ally and friend to the people of Afghanistan."
"India has lost one of its most illustrious sons. #Dr_Manmohan_Singh was an unwavering ally and friend to the people of #Afghanistan. I profoundly mourn his passing and extend my deepest condolences to his family, the government, and the people of India. May his soul find eternal peace", Karzai said on X.
Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed remembered Singh as a "benevolent father figure" and a good friend of Maldives. "So sad to hear Manmohan Singh has passed. I always found him a delight to work with, and like a benevolent father figure. He was a good friend of the Maldives", he posted on X.