Former Prime Minister and prominent Congress leader Dr. Manmohan Singh passed away on Thursday at the age of 92. Singh breathed his last at AIIMS Delhi, where he had been admitted earlier that evening.Manmohan Singh's Political JourneyDr. Singh, widely regarded for his intellect and vision, was sworn in as India’s Prime Minister on May 22, 2004, following the Congress Party’s victory in the general elections. He took office for a second term on the same date in 2009.Born on September 26, 1932, in a village in Punjab province in undivided India, Singh completed his matriculation from Punjab University in 1948, laying the foundation for an illustrious career.In a political career spanning decades, Singh served as a Rajya Sabha member from 1991 until his retirement in April 2024. He held the position of Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha from 1998 to 2004. Internationally, he represented India at numerous high-profile conferences, including the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (1993) and the World Conference on Human Rights (1993).Manmohan Singh's Landmark Achievements as Prime MinisterAs Prime Minister, Dr. Singh launched several transformative initiatives including the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) (2005) which is aimed at providing 100 days of guaranteed wage employment per year to rural households.He also implemented the Right to Information Act (2005) that strengthened transparency and accountability by granting citizens access to public information. His National Food Security Act (2013) ensured subsidized food grains for nearly two-thirds of India’s population.Manmohan Singh's EducationDr. Singh’s academic credentials were unparalleled. After completing his studies in Punjab, he earned a First Class Honours degree in Economics from the University of Cambridge in 1957, followed by a D. Phil in Economics from Nuffield College, Oxford, in 1962.His 1964 book, "India's Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth", was a groundbreaking critique of India’s inward-looking trade policy. Singh also served on the faculty at Punjab University and the Delhi School of Economics, solidifying his reputation as an eminent scholar.Manmohan Singh's AccomplishmentsDr. Singh joined the Government of India in 1971 as an economic advisor in the commerce ministry and later served as Chief Economic Advisor in the finance ministry in 1972. His key positions included:Secretary, Ministry of FinanceDeputy Chairman, Planning CommissionGovernor, Reserve Bank of India (RBI)Chairman, University Grants CommissionAdvisor to the Prime MinisterHe also served as Secretary General of the South Commission in Geneva from 1987 to 1990.Dr. Singh’s tenure as Finance Minister (1991–1996) under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao marked a turning point in India’s economic history. He spearheaded a wave of economic reforms that liberalized the Indian economy, a legacy that continues to be recognized globally.Manmohan Singh's AwardsDr. Singh was awarded India’s second-highest civilian honor, the Padma Vibhushan, in 1987, among many other accolades.Dr. Manmohan Singh will be remembered not only for his scholarly brilliance but also for his transformative contributions to India’s economic and political landscape.
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