Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, a renowned economist and architect of India's economic reforms, died on Thursday at 92. He was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here following his health deteriorating.
The AIIMS has confirmed the news of Dr. Singh's death in a statement that read: "With profound grief, we inform the demise of former Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh aged 92. He was being treated for age related medical conditions and had sudden loss of consciousness at home on December 26. Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the medical emergency at AIIMS. Despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9.51 p.m."
Dr. Singh had been admitted for treatment in the hospital on Thursday night after having fallen seriously ill.
The former prime minister of India, who served the nation from 2004 to 2014, had a transformational role while he led the country through the liberalization period for the Indian economy.
His tenure is often credited with initiating major economic reforms in 1991 when he was the finance minister, which helped modernise India's economy and integrate it into the global market.
A man of humility and intellect, Dr. Singh was a respected figure both in India and globally. Under his leadership, India saw consistent economic growth, reducing poverty and strengthening the country's position on the world stage.
His government is also known for initiating very essential legislations in areas of education, food security, and information.
The whole nation was left in a state of mourning over Dr. Singh's death; leaders across all the parties, internationally, are coming forward and paying their respects to him and his great legacy for his services rendered in public life and to the world of economics.
He is survived by his wife, Gursharan Kaur, and three daughters. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced soon, with the nation's leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expected to participate in honoring his memory. The death of Dr. Singh marks the end of an era in Indian politics. His leadership and legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
In April this year, Manmohan Singh retired from Rajya Sabha, with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge praising his long parliamentary career.
Manmohan Singh shot to prominence as the country's Finance Minister in the government headed by PV Narasimha Rao during 1991-96, having brought in sweeping reforms that transformed the economy.
As the two-term Prime Minister of the UPA, he has been at the top post from 2004 to 2014 and is a member of the Rajya Sabha till early this year.
In his political career, Singh has been a member of the Rajya Sabha since 1991 where he was the Leader of the Opposition between 1998 and 2004.
Manmohan Singh was sworn in as Prime Minister on May 22 following the general elections of 2004 and took oath for the second term on May 22, 2009.
He served Assam for five terms in the Upper House and shifted to Rajasthan in 2019.
His last intervention in Parliament was against demonetisation, describing it as an "organised loot and legalised plunder".
Born on 26th September 1932, Singh completed his Bachelor's and Master's in Economics from Panjab University in 1952 and 1954, respectively.
Manmohan Singh graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Economics in Tripos from Cambridge University in 1957. This was followed by the award of D. Phil. In Economics from Oxford University in 1962.
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