India mourns the loss of one of its most respected statesmen, Dr. Manmohan Singh, who passed away at the age of 92 due to age-related ailments. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi, where he had been admitted, confirmed the news late Thursday evening.
“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 a sudden loss of consciousness at home on December 26, 2024,” AIIMS stated in its official release.
According to the statement, Dr. Singh was brought to AIIMS at 8:06 pm after resuscitative efforts were initiated at home. Despite the best efforts of the medical team, he was declared dead at 9:51 pm.
Dr. Singh, India’s Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 during the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, had been battling health issues in recent months. He is survived by his wife, Gurcharan Singh, and their three daughters.
A Visionary Leader Remembered
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over Dr. Singh’s passing, calling him “one of India’s most distinguished leaders.”
“India mourns the loss of Dr. Manmohan Singh ji. Rising from humble origins, he became a respected economist and left a lasting impact on India’s economic policies, especially as Finance Minister. His tenure as Prime Minister reflected his dedication to improving the lives of citizens,” PM Modi said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Recalling their professional association, PM Modi added, “Dr. Manmohan Singh ji and I interacted regularly when he was PM and I was the CM of Gujarat. His wisdom and humility were always evident. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and admirers in this hour of grief. Om Shanti.”
A Legacy of Economic Transformation
Dr. Manmohan Singh was widely hailed as the architect of India’s 1991 economic reforms, serving as Finance Minister under Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao. At a time when the country faced severe financial instability, his bold policy decisions ushered in an era of liberalization that transformed India into one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.
His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by significant policy initiatives, including the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the India-US civil nuclear agreement, among others. Despite criticism during his later years in office, his contributions to India’s economic and political landscape remain unparalleled.
Tributes Pour In
Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Sonia Gandhi rushed to AIIMS upon hearing of Dr. Singh’s hospitalization. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and MP Rahul Gandhi, who were in Karnataka for a Congress Working Committee meeting, announced their immediate return to Delhi.
“Dr. Manmohan Singh was not just a leader but an institution in himself. His demise leaves a void that cannot be filled,” said Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.
Dr. Singh’s funeral arrangements are expected to be announced soon, with leaders and admirers from across the globe anticipated to pay their respects to a statesman whose legacy will endure in the annals of Indian history.
India bids farewell to an extraordinary leader, economist, and visionary whose life was dedicated to the progress and prosperity of the nation.