Tribute on the Passing of an Intellectual, Calm and Composed Ex-Prime Minister of India – Manmohan Singh

I grew up for a major part of my life during student phase and as a young employee under the aegis of last Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Those were the times of stability, peace and progress as we took these qualities for granted for a good ten years from 2004 to 2014. The person who overlooked these great virtues run through the nation and heralded the most intellectual leadership was Dr. Manmohan Singh. His was kind of rule which no one noticed if there is any rule then but will be deeply felt and missed in the hindsight when those days are numbered. Such is the calmness and composure of the person which is felt in the nation and the people. It takes decades of silent work and rising up of the ranks and lot of hard work from many people to bring a gigantic academic intellectual to the top of the nation. When this happens, it invariable results in golden period for the nation, treated to moderation without excess, calmness without turbulence, steady growth without decline, progress and prosperity without much noise and clamor. The man who is more a symbolic Prime Minister without an iota of extremism and who correctly treated the nation like a great doctor treating a bad disease, decently without any pretention has passed away last week at the age of 92, 10 years after the end of his rule. It is time to think about those times of his work which is very much required to bring many more leaders like him for the nation and the world. 

The rule of a leader like Manmohan Singh will be celebrated for the absence of many bad and negative qualities and at the same time spreading goodness all around silently. He ruled without ever feeling like a PM, similar to a lotus leaf never absorbing water while still submerged in the water. While still remaining so much detached, he never got away from the burden of responsibilities but fulfilled each of his duties with much merit and competence. This is not an overstatement when you look broadly at one metric of India in those 10 years. The average growth of India from 2004 to 14 is 7% and if you compare the same with the next ten years, it is higher since the average growth from 2014-24 is slightly less at 6%. In short, India did much better in ten-year period from 2004-14 than 2014-24 when GDP growth is looked at and this tells the story of many factors contributing to these numbers. This is the true testament of silent revolution in the country overseen by silent Prime Minister. This the true bottom to top growth presided over by an unassuming leader which came as a result of harsh terrain of the past many decades in the nation. The person never got so much credit for his low profile but deserves every bit of it when you look at the ascent to the top from him for many decades and maintaining an impeccable record from the high position. 

The rise of intellectual person like Dr Singh rose in parallel with India. Indeed, he is the key force behind the famous economic liberalization of 1991 which opened the Indian doors to the world and set the country on a path to progress. He was the finance minister at that time nitpicked by another progressive PM P.V.Narasimha Rao. An intellectual academician like him never contested politics but picked and brought into the realm for the good of the nation. What happened in the next 30-plus years in the nation reinforced this very belief as the country saw a rise after he rose gradually. We can look at the journey of the ex-PM briefly and into his resume-of-the-century to know how much an individual can achieve in a glittering career from a young age to an old age retiring PM. 

Born on September 26, 1932, in Gah, Punjab (now in Pakistan), Singh's early life was marked by academic brilliance. He completed his matriculation from Punjab University in 1948 and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in Economics from Panjab University in 1952, followed by a master's degree in 1954. His academic excellence earned him a scholarship to the University of Cambridge, where he achieved first-class honours in the Economic Tripos in 1957. He later obtained a DPhil in Economics from Nuffield College, Oxford University, in 1962, with a thesis critically examining India’s trade policies. 

Singh's academic journey was just the beginning. He began his career in academia, teaching at Panjab University and the Delhi School of Economics. His expertise soon extended to international organizations, including a stint at the UNCTAD Secretariat and later as Secretary-General of the South Commission in Geneva (1987–1990). Within India’s administrative machinery, Singh held several pivotal roles, including Chief Economic Advisor, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission. 

In 1991, amidst a severe economic crisis, Singh was appointed Finance Minister in Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao’s government. Tasked with averting a financial collapse, he introduced sweeping reforms that opened India’s economy to global markets. Key reforms included dismantling the Licence Raj, liberalizing trade policies, and championing fiscal discipline. His landmark 1991 Budget speech, quoting Victor Hugo, “No power on earth can stop an idea whose time has come,” heralded a new era of economic growth and resilience for India. 

Singh's tenure as Finance Minister was transformative. He devalued the rupee, reduced import tariffs, and privatized state-owned enterprises. These measures not only stabilized the economy but also set the stage for sustained growth. His policies helped India avert a sovereign default and restored investor confidence. Singh's reforms went beyond economic stabilization; his vision extended to inclusive development that focused on reducing poverty, creating jobs, and improving the overall standard of living for millions of Indians. 

In 2004, Singh became India’s 14th Prime Minister, leading the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for two consecutive terms. Known for his quiet determination and intellectual depth, his leadership emphasized inclusive development and social empowerment. Key initiatives during his tenure included the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which provided employment opportunities to millions in rural areas. The Right to Information Act (RTI) was passed in 2005 under Singh’s government, enhancing transparency and accountability in governance. 

Singh's administration also secured the India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement in 2008, which opened up civilian nuclear cooperation and was seen as a landmark moment in India’s foreign relations. His government delivered robust GDP growth for most of his tenure, lifting approximately 300 million people out of poverty. Singh's policies focused on social equity and aimed at improving access to education, healthcare, and employment for all sectors of society. 

Singh's legacy extends far beyond his economic reforms. His tenure as Prime Minister saw India emerge as a major global player, with significant strides in various sectors. His calm yet decisive leadership helped India weather the global financial crisis of 2008, ensuring economic stability while fostering sustained growth. Singh's contributions earned him numerous awards, including honorary doctorates from prestigious institutions like Cambridge and Oxford. 

Despite facing criticism and allegations of corruption against some of his ministers, Singh's personal integrity remained unquestioned. His leadership style, characterized by humility and a focus on policy-driven governance, continues to inspire future generations. Singh's journey from a small village in Punjab to the highest echelons of power is a testament to the transformative power of education and dedication. 

Manmohan Singh's life and career are a remarkable blend of academic brilliance, visionary leadership, and unwavering dedication to public service. India needs to travel in a path to see many more like him rise to the top and give a great leadership to the country needing one. Persons like him have delivered on their promises and potential to rule and achieve a lot for the nation. It is time for the history to leave a lasting impression in the books for shaping a chapter of Indian trajectory.