New Delhi, December 26, 2024 – Dr. Manmohan Singh, the former Prime Minister of India, has passed away at the age of 92. He died on Thursday night at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi after being admitted due to age-related medical conditions. The hospital confirmed that he experienced a sudden loss of consciousness at home earlier in the day and was brought to AIIMS at approximately 8 PM. Despite resuscitative efforts, he was declared dead at 9:51 PM.
Legacy of Economic Reforms
Dr. Singh served as India’s Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 and is widely recognized as the architect of India’s economic liberalization in 1991 during his tenure as Finance Minister under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao. His policies helped steer India away from a severe economic crisis and initiated a new era of economic growth and globalization, transforming the country’s economic landscape.
Singh was born on September 26, 1932, in Gah, West Punjab (now in Pakistan). He earned his doctorate in Economics from the University of Oxford and held various key positions in the Indian government before becoming Prime Minister. Notably, he was the first Sikh to hold the office and the first Prime Minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to be re-elected after completing a full term.
Tributes Pour In
Following the announcement of his passing, tributes began flooding in from across the political spectrum. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and her mother Sonia Gandhi were among the first to arrive at AIIMS upon hearing the news. Union Health Minister JP Nadda expressed his condolences on social media, describing Singh as “an immense loss for the nation” and a “visionary statesman” whose legacy would continue to inspire future generations.
Manmohan Singh Ji led India with immense wisdom and integrity. His humility and deep understanding of economics inspired the nation.
My heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Kaur and the family.
I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the… pic.twitter.com/bYT5o1ZN2R
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 26, 2024
Former Chief Ministers and other political leaders also shared their grief, highlighting Singh’s contributions to India’s progress and identity. Bhupinder Singh Hooda, a former Chief Minister of Haryana, remarked on Singh’s role as a pioneer of economic reforms and noted that his departure has caused an “irreparable loss” to Indian politics.
Conclusion
Dr. Manmohan Singh leaves behind a significant legacy characterized by his commitment to public service, economic reform, and scholarly approach to governance. He is survived by his wife Gursharan Kaur and their three daughters. His passing marks the end of an era for Indian politics, where his influence will be remembered for generations to come.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information available as of December 26, 2024. Further updates may follow as more details emerge.