Former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh: Remembering India’s Fourteenth Prime Minister
Dr. Manmohan Singh passed away at the age of 92 on December 26, 2024. The former PM Manmohan Singh is credited with India's liberalization, privatization, and globalization (LPG) reforms.
Deeksha Dixit27 Dec, 2024
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Dr. Manmohan Singh , the former Prime Minister of India who was famously known as the "Architect of India's Economic Transformation” passed away on Thursday, December 26, 2024. Dr. Singh was credited with leading India through a period of significant economic change, most notably through the liberalization of the economy in the 1990s.
His policies, including privatization, globalization, and economic reforms, paved the way for India's rapid economic growth. Known for his intellectual strength, humility, and integrity, Dr. Singh’s contributions to India's progress are widely acknowledged. Read on to learn more about him.Former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh Passed Away
Dr. Manmohan Singh, the
fourteenth Prime Minister of India
, passed away recently at the
age of 92.
The news of Dr. Manmohan Singh’s death was shared by AIIMS, which, in a bulletin, stated that he was brought to the emergency room due to sudden loss of consciousness and was declared dead at
9:51 pm
.
He is widely admired for his significant contributions to India's economic growth and his humble leadership style. Tributes poured in from political leaders, including President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who acknowledged his immense role in shaping the nation’s economy. Dr. Singh is
survived by his wife
, Gursharan Kaur,
and their three daughters
.
Dr. Manmohan Singh Biography
Dr. Manmohan Singh, born on September 26, 1932, in Gah (now in Pakistan), belonged to a Sikh family. He earned a master's degree in economics from the University of Cambridge and went on to serve as the Prime Minister of India for two terms . Prior to his tenure as Prime Minister, he held various key positions, including Finance Minister.| Dr. Manmohan Singh Biography | |
| Date of Birth | September 26, 1932 |
| Place of Birth | Punjab |
| Wife | Mrs. Gursharan Kaur |
| Early Education | Matriculation from Punjab University (1948) |
| Higher Education |
|
| Notable Book | India’s Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth (1964) |
| Academic Positions | Faculty at Punjab University and Delhi School of Economics, UNCTAD Secretariat |
| Government Positions | Economic Advisor (Commerce Ministry), Chief Economic Advisor (Finance Ministry), Secretary (Ministry of Finance), Deputy Chairman (Planning Commission), Governor of Reserve Bank of India, Advisor to the Prime Minister, Chairman (University Grants Commission) |
| Finance Minister (1991-1996) | Led India's economic reforms (LPG reforms: Liberalization, Privatization, Globalization) |
| Prime Minister | May 22, 2004 to May 22, 2014 |
| Awards and Honors | Padma Vibhushan (1987), Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Award (1995), Asia Money and Euro Money Finance Minister of the Year (1993-94), Adam Smith Prize (1956) |
| Death | December 26, 2024 |
Dr. Manmohan Singh Education
Dr. Manmohan Singh's academic journey was marked by exceptional achievements, laying a strong foundation for his future contributions to India’s economic growth.- 1948: Completed Matriculation examinations from Punjab University .
- 1952: Earned a B.A. in Economics (Honours) from Punjab University, securing First Position.
- 1954 : Awarded M.A. in Economics from Punjab University with First Class , First Position.
- 1957: Obtained First Class Honours in Economics (Economic Tripos) from the University of Cambridge , UK.
- 1962 : Completed D. Phil. in Economics from Nuffield College , University of Oxford, with the thesis "India’s Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth" .
Dr. Manmohan Singh’s Political Career
Dr. Singh began his political career as an economist and technocrat, serving in various governmental roles before becoming the Finance Minister in 1991. He was elected to the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) in September 1991 , marking the beginning of his active participation in Indian politics.- June 21, 1991 – May 15, 1996 (Finance Minister of India): Spearheaded key economic reforms, including Liberalization, Privatization, and Globalization (LPG).
- August 1, 1996 – December 4, 1997: Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce, Rajya Sabha.
- June 2001: Re-elected to Rajya Sabha for another six-year term.
- March 21, 1998 – May 22, 2004: Leader of the Opposition, Rajya Sabha.
- May 22, 2004 – May 22, 2014 (Prime Minister of India) : Led India through significant economic growth and global prominence.
Architect of India's Economic Transformation
Dr. Manmohan Singh is considered the architect of India’s economic transformation. In 1991, India faced a severe financial crisis , marked by:- Low foreign exchange reserves
- High inflation and a fiscal deficit of 8.4% of GDP
- Limited access to affordable oil and raw materials due to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Achievements of Dr. Manmohan Singh
Dr. Manmohan Singh, India’s 13th and 14th Prime Minister, is known for his transformative leadership in both economic and social sectors. Dr. Manmohan Singh's work for India as PM includes:- 1991 Economic Reforms: Liberalized India’s economy, resolving the balance of payments crisis and spurring growth.
- High GDP Growth: Led India to an average growth rate of 8.5%, peaking at 10.03% in 2010-11.
- Introduction of VAT: Simplified the tax structure with the introduction of VAT in 2005.
- MGNREGA: Guaranteed 100 days of employment for rural households, lifting many out of poverty.
- Right to Information Act: Empowered citizens with transparency in governance.
- National Rural Health Mission: Improved healthcare delivery in rural India.
- India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement: Strengthened India’s global standing in nuclear technology.
- Right to Education Act: Made education a fundamental right for children aged 6 to 14.
- Expansion of Higher Education: Increased opportunities through the establishment of new IITs and IIMs.
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Former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh FAQs
Who was Manmohan Singh?
Dr. Manmohan Singh was the 14th Prime Minister of India, known for his role in India's economic reforms in the 1990s.
How many degrees does Manmohan Singh have?
He holds multiple degrees, including BA and MA in Economics from Punjab University, a First-Class Honours in Economics from Cambridge University, and a D.Phil. in Economics from Oxford University.
What is the reason for Manmohan Singh's death?
He passed away on December 26, 2024, due to sudden health complications.
Why Manmohan Singh is so famous?
He is famous for his leadership in India's liberalization, privatization, and globalization reforms during the 1990s and for his tenure as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014.
What is 7 days mourning?
7 days mourning refers to a national period of respect and remembrance for a deceased leader, where public activities are limited, and flags are flown at half-mast. It will be observed in honour of Dr. Manmohan Singh.
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