By: Surjit Singh Flora
(Samajweekly) Dr. Manmohan Singh, who held the position of Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014, died on Thursday at the age of 92.Dr. Manmohan Singh was an extraordinary individual, the sort that seldom graces this world. Individuals who remain focused on their responsibilities and diligently pursue their tasks without seeking recognition often find that success and respect come to them effortlessly, much like a river flowing toward its destination. He was soft-spoken and mild-mannered, a Sikh, which is a rare thing to come by.
He was the most hardworking, dedicated, and honest PM India ever had. Even the opposition party praised him for his honesty.
Besides that, he was the prime minister who significantly altered the discourse surrounding development in India. He surpassed all other prime ministers in fulfilling election commitments. He kept every promise he made.
He ensured that work, food, and education are rights, making the development needs of the common person independent of the whims of the powerful. He didn’t rely on the trickle-down effect. Inclusive growth should be a steady, reliable strategy, not just a response to favourable circumstances. We should treat it with the same urgency as defence spending.
Despite occasionally seeming somewhat awkward, his self-confidence was notably high. In a speech delivered around 2008-09, he claimed that India would attain a double-digit growth rate despite the economic downturn. Furthermore, we anticipate that this phase of economic decline will have limited effects on India. Ultimately, we confirmed the precision of the data.
Indeed, with the time, complaints arise about his failure to confront the Gandhi family. Why would he do that? Manmohan did not win any elections and was prime minister solely because of Sonia Gandhi’s influence. As a PM, he tackled various issues in India and successfully made changes despite his limited authority. He didn’t care about the self-serving ambition of portraying himself as a strong leader like Modi, as that would put personal image above national interests. Dr. Singh placed the nation first. Manmohan exhibited humility and expressed gratitude for the opportunity he had received. That’s why Obama held him in high regard and respected him deeply.
Dr. Singh was passionate about economics, mastering it to tackle development and inclusive growth challenges globally. He never expressed any interest in a position. He achieved everything an exceptionally driven person desires or can accomplish.
In conclusion, Manmohan can be regarded as a forward-thinking leader within the political landscape, and India reaped the rewards of his guidance.
Singh was the sharpest Indian prime minister ever. He led possibly the most corrupt government in Indian history, yet he still managed to maintain his reputation.
Manmohan Singh’s first term ran well. Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s administration performed significant work, and Manmohan Singh, a pragmatic and excellent economist, maintained those efforts. India gained from the judgment. Carrying on someone’s job does not need much intelligence, yet it was nonetheless critical to India’s prosperity. The administration then used digitization and other smart initiatives. The stock market fared well.
During his time as prime minister of India Between 1991 and 2010, India’s growth resulted in the third- largest GDP in the world. Millions of jobs were created, and millions of people were lifted out of poverty.
It was heartbreaking to witness a representative of this courageous race, elected to the highest position in the nation, be reduced to following instructions from someone unworthy of tying his shoelaces.
Dr. Singh held almost all major positions in the management of economic issues in the country, working in the finance ministry as a chief economic advisor, as deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, as RBI governor, and then as finance minister. He possesses a comprehensive understanding of the economy and bureaucracy. He brought all this wealth of experience to PM’s position.
He did his best with all the constraints put on him. To put it simply, some other person, any politician, would not have survived even for a couple of years heading such coalitions (except perhaps PVNR & Vajpayee).
As PM, he had to handle various parties, administer the coalition government, and persuade Congress head Sonia Gandhi of every government move. He maintained 8% GDP during UPA-2. He struck a nuclear agreement with the US despite left parties’ withdrawal and the BJP’s vehement opposition.
During his tenure as Prime Minister of India, he navigated the challenges posed by the 2008 economic crisis, the peak prices of crude oil, and the emergence of the Anna movement in the country. He submitted an RTI application to India. Aadhar constituted his initiative. The launch of Mangalyaan occurred during his tenure. While one may hold various opinions regarding MNREGA, it is important to acknowledge that it has provided essential support for the livelihoods of many impoverished individuals.
He experienced significant poverty during his childhood, yet he refrained from sharing this information with others, unlike those who frequently boast about their circumstances. One might engage in criticism or even abuse toward him, yet it is worth considering the implications of applying the same scrutiny to the current Prime Minister. Dr. Singh exhibited humility rather than weakness. His silence was valuable. He performed significantly better than any prime minister would have in comparable circumstances.
During his final press conference as prime minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh expressed his belief that history would ultimately be more favourable toward him. He suggested that future assessments would be more positive than the public perception he faced during the UPA 2 era, a time when he was often the subject of jokes among the Indian populace. Historically, Sonia Gandhi may be held accountable for the shortcomings of the UPA Government, while Dr. Manmohan Singh may receive recognition for the positive outcomes achieved during that period. I began the discussion by asserting that Dr. Manmohan Singh was the most intelligent Prime Minister in history.
