New Delhi: India bid farewell to a statesman, economist, and gentleman on the night of 26 December 2024, as Manmohan Singh, the country’s 13th Prime Minister, passed away at the age of 92. He breathed his last at AIIMS, Delhi, following a sudden medical emergency attributed to age-related complications. Known as the architect of India’s economic reforms, his legacy will forever be intertwined with the transformative policies that reshaped the nation’s financial landscape.
 

Manmohan Singh was a quiet force in Indian politics, a leader who preferred action to rhetoric. He held every key economic position over his illustrious career: Chief Economic Advisor, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, and Union Finance Secretary. These roles culminated in his appointment as Finance Minister under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao in 1991, where he spearheaded the historic economic liberalisation that opened India to global markets.
 

Singh’s tenure as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 marked a critical period in India’s growth. Leading the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance, he navigated an era of rapid economic expansion and significant shifts in foreign policy. Despite stepping away from public life after 2014, Singh’s influence endured, with his contributions continuing to shape India’s development trajectory.
 

In August 2023, Singh made his final public appearance in the Rajya Sabha, where he had been a member for years. By then, his health had declined, but his reputation as a man of integrity, intellect, and dedication remained untarnished.
 

The passing of Singh brought back stories of his character and priorities, even during moments of personal vulnerability. Dr Ramakant Panda, the cardiac surgeon who performed a critical coronary bypass on Singh in 2009, recalled his resilience and patriotism. After his heart surgery was completed, the first concern expressed was for the state of the country, particularly Kashmir, rather than his own health. 

Dr Panda described Singh as an exemplary patient and a humble person. “At a personal level, I know he was a man of very strong integrity. He had a very steady reserve. If he said something, he would do it. You could not change his mind,” he said.
 

Born in 1932 in what is now Pakistan, Singh experienced the upheaval of Partition, an event that profoundly influenced his worldview. A scholar by temperament, he pursued academic excellence, earning a doctorate in economics from Oxford University. This foundation in economics shaped his approach to governance, focusing on long-term structural reforms rather than short-term populism.
 

Singh’s tenure as Finance Minister remains his most celebrated chapter. At a time when India faced a severe balance of payments crisis, he introduced sweeping reforms that dismantled the Licence Raj, reduced import tariffs, and encouraged foreign investment. These measures set India on a path to becoming a global economic powerhouse.
 

As Prime Minister, Singh was instrumental in strengthening India’s ties with the global community. The landmark Indo-US civil nuclear agreement, signed during his tenure, underscored his commitment to strategic diplomacy. Domestically, initiatives like the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and the Right to Information Act reflected his focus on inclusive development.
 

Singh’s passing was marked by a sombre nationwide mourning. His last rites were conducted with full state honours, and a seven-day state mourning was declared, with the national flag flown at half-mast across India.
 

In an era of combative politics, Singh stood apart as a leader who valued consensus and quiet determination. His life and work will continue to inspire generations, reminding India of the power of intellect, humility, and service.

BI Bureau