New Delhi: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, an iconic figure in Indian politics and a veteran Congress leader, passed away on Thursday at the age of 92. According to sources at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, his condition had been critical, and he was under the care of a multidisciplinary team of doctors. The reason for his hospitalisation was not immediately disclosed.
Manmohan Singh, India’s first and only Sikh Prime Minister, served two consecutive terms from 2004 to 2014. A renowned economist and a statesman, he played a pivotal role in shaping India’s economic trajectory during his tenure as Finance Minister under the PV Narasimha Rao government in 1991. His landmark reforms are credited with opening up India’s economy to global markets, initiating a new era of liberalisation.
Singh represented Assam in the Rajya Sabha for five terms starting in 1991, before shifting his parliamentary seat to Rajasthan in 2019. Throughout his political career, he was revered for his intellect, integrity, and unwavering commitment to public service.
In his final appearance in Parliament, Singh delivered a poignant critique of demonetisation, calling it a “sanctioned and lawful raid.” His measured yet incisive criticism reflected his deep understanding of the economy and concern for its impact on ordinary citizens.
