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Architect of Modern India's Economic Transformation. A nation mourns and pays her last homage
Dr. Manmohan Singh, the former Prime Minister of India, passed away at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi on December 26. As the 14th Prime Minister, Dr. Singh left an indelible mark on India's political and economic landscape, being the first Sikh to hold this esteemed position.
Dr. Singh is particularly remembered for his pivotal role as Finance Minister under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao in 1991, where he led transformative economic reforms that opened India's economy to global markets.
As the nation mourns his loss, let us reflect on the key milestones of Dr. Manmohan Singh's extraordinary life and career:
1932: Born in Gah, a small town in undivided Punjab, British India (now in Pakistan).
1947: His family migrated to India following the partition.
1948: Completed his matriculation in India.
1952-54: Earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Punjab University, developing a keen interest in economics.
1957: Moved to England, completing his Honours degree in Economics from the University of Cambridge, influenced by economists like Nicholas Kaldor, Joan Robinson, and Amartya Sen.
1957: Returned to India and began teaching at Punjab University.
1962: Pursued a Doctorate in Philosophy (D.Phil) in Economics at Oxford University, gaining an international perspective on economic policies.
1963: Returned to Punjab University as a professor of Economics.
1966-69: Served as a key member of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
1969-71: Professor at the Delhi School of Economics.
1971: Appointed Economic Advisor in the Ministry of Commerce.
1972-76: Chief Economic Advisor to the Ministry of Finance.
1976: Promoted to Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and appointed Honorary Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
1982-85: Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
1985-87: Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, working on India's long-term development strategies.
1987: Awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award, for his contributions to the economy and public life.
1990-91: Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister of India.
1991: Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC).
1991: Appointed Finance Minister under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao.
1995: Elected to the Rajya Sabha, re-elected in 2001, 2007, 2013, and 2019.
1991-96: As Finance Minister, introduced landmark economic reforms, including liberalizing India's economy, and dismantling the "permit raj" system. His 1991 Union Budget was a turning point, rescuing India from a financial crisis and setting the stage for its rise as a global power.
2004: Became the 14th Prime Minister of India after leading the Indian National Congress to victory in the general elections.
2005: Signed the historic Indo-US Civil Nuclear Deal with US President George W. Bush.
2007: Under his leadership, India achieved a GDP growth rate of 9%, becoming the second-fastest-growing major economy globally.
2009: Won a second consecutive term as Prime Minister, the first since Jawaharlal Nehru in 1962 to be re-elected after completing a full term.
2012: His second term was marred by controversies, including the spectrum allocation scam, the coal scam, and the Commonwealth Games scam.
2014: Received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers from Japan, recognizing his efforts in strengthening India-Japan relations.
2014: Resigned as Prime Minister after his party lost the general election to BJP.
2019: Re-elected to the Rajya Sabha.
2024: Passed away on December 26, at the age of 92, after a distinguished 33-year-long career in Parliament.
Dr. Manmohan Singh's legacy as an economist and statesman is profound. His visionary policies and reforms not only stabilized the Indian economy during a critical period but also set the stage for its emergence as a global economic powerhouse. His contributions continue to inspire future generations of policymakers and leaders.
India bid farewell to one of the most respected Prime Minister as Dr. Singh’s last rites is undertaken at Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi at 11.45am with full State honours on Saturday, the 28th of December’ 2024.
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