India

Manmohan Singh, visionary economist and two-term PM of India, passes away at 92

Manmohan Singh. [File Photo]

New Delhi: Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, a towering figure in Indian politics and a respected economist, passed away at the age of 92 on Thursday night at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. The Congress stalwart, who served as India’s 13th Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, was the first Sikh to hold the nation’s highest executive post.

AIIMS confirmed Dr Singh’s demise in an official statement, detailing his final moments. “With profound grief, we inform the demise of former Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh, aged 92. He was being treated for age-related medical conditions and had a sudden loss of consciousness at home on 26th December 2024,” the statement read.

Resuscitation efforts were initiated immediately at his residence before he was brought to the hospital at 8:06pm. Despite the medical team’s best efforts, Dr. Singh was declared dead at 9:51pm.

Dr. Singh, widely recognised as the architect of India’s economic liberalisation during his tenure as Finance Minister under Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, played a pivotal role in transforming India’s economy in 1991. His two-term premiership under the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) marked significant economic and social reforms, including the landmark Right to Information Act and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.

The former Prime Minister retired from active politics following the Congress’s defeat in the 2014 general elections. His last public appearance was in August 2023 as a member of the Rajya Sabha.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on social media, remembering Dr. Singh as a distinguished leader and a visionary economist.

“India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr. Manmohan Singh ji. Rising from humble origins, he became a respected economist and served in various government roles, leaving a strong imprint on our economic policies. His wisdom and humility were always evident. My thoughts are with his family and countless admirers. Om Shanti,” Modi wrote.

Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Sonia Gandhi were among the first to reach AIIMS upon learning of his hospitalisation. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and MP Rahul Gandhi, who were attending a meeting in Karnataka, are expected to return to Delhi soon.

Dr. Singh is survived by his wife, Gurcharan Kaur, and three daughters. His contributions to India’s economic and political landscape remain unparalleled, cementing his place in history as one of the nation’s most influential leaders.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced soon, with tributes pouring in from across the nation and the globe.

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