Former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh Passes Away at 92; Nation Mourns the Loss
New Delhi, India: Dr. Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India and the architect of the country’s economic liberalization, passed away on Thursday night at the age of 92. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, where he was admitted in critical condition, confirmed his demise.
According to an AIIMS bulletin, Dr. Singh experienced a sudden loss of consciousness at home on December 26. Resuscitation efforts began immediately, and he was brought to the hospital’s Emergency ward at 8:06 PM. Despite medical intervention, he was declared dead at 9:51 PM. The bulletin cited age-related health issues as the underlying cause.
Dr. Singh, who served as India’s Prime Minister for two consecutive terms from 2004 to 2014 under the Congress-led UPA government, had been in declining health for several months. He is survived by his wife, Gurcharan Singh, and three daughters.
A Legacy of Economic Reforms
Renowned as the architect of India’s economic reforms, Dr. Singh served as Finance Minister in the early 1990s under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao. His leadership during a period of economic crisis led to the liberalization policies of 1991, which are credited with transforming India’s economy and propelling the nation onto the global stage.
Tributes from Across the Nation
Leaders across the political spectrum paid homage to Dr. Singh’s legacy. Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra rushed to AIIMS upon learning of his hospitalization. The Congress Working Committee, which was meeting in Belagavi, Karnataka, at the time of his death, suspended its session. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi are en route to Delhi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief, calling Dr. Singh "one of India’s most distinguished leaders." In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming a globally respected economist and leader was extraordinary. His tenure as Prime Minister saw dedicated efforts to improve lives, and his contributions to economic policy left a lasting impact.”
Dr. Singh’s passing marks the end of an era in Indian politics and economics. His leadership, intellect, and integrity will be remembered as a guiding light in the country’s journey toward progress.
