GUWAHATI: Former Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, passed away on Thursday, December 26, at the age of 92. He had been undergoing treatment for age-related medical conditions and experienced a sudden loss of consciousness at his residence earlier in the evening, according to a statement released by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi.
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Resuscitation efforts were initiated immediately at home, following which Singh was rushed to the hospital. He was brought to the medical emergency department at 8:06 PM. Despite the best efforts of the medical team, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9:51 PM.
Singh served as India’s 13th Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014. Renowned for his pivotal role in shaping India’s economic policies, he also held the position of Finance Minister during the critical period of economic liberalisation in the early 1990s.
Born on September 26, 1932, in Gah, now in Pakistan, Singh was educated at Panjab University, following he went on to study at Oxford and Cambridge, earning a doctoral degree in economics. His career included advisory roles in institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India and the Planning Commission, showcasing his deep expertise in economic theory and policy.
Singh's most defining contribution to India’s economic history came in 1991 when, as Finance Minister under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, he spearheaded sweeping economic reforms. Faced with a balance of payments crisis, India was on the brink of default.
To combat this, Singh introduced several measures including the devaluation of the rupee, dismantling of the license raj, removal of trade barriers, and promotion of foreign direct investment. These policies opened India’s economy to the world, laying the foundation for the rapid growth seen in subsequent decades.
As the Prime Minister, Singh achieved an average GDP growth rate of 8% during his tenure. His leadership saw the implementation of programs like the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), which provided critical support to rural populations, and advancements in infrastructure, from road networks to power generation and telecom expansion.
However, his administration also faced criticism, particularly during his second term, with allegations of policy paralysis and corruption scandals overshadowing his government’s achievements.
In the geopolitical sphere, Singh strengthened India’s relationships with key nations and championed the country’s participation in global forums such as the United Nations, G-20, and BRICS, asserting India’s role as a rising power.
India mourns the loss of a leader whose intellect and dedication shaped its economic and political landscape.
