NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on Friday to pay tributes to former prime minister Manmohan Singh and described his demise as a great loss to the nation.
In his speech, the Prime Minister highlighted Manmohan Singh’s contributions to the country and stated that his life exemplified the values of integrity and simplicity.
“We are all deeply saddened by the passing away of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. His passing away is a setback for the entire nation…his life is an example to future generations on how we can overcome struggles and reach greater heights,” said the Prime Minister. Modi said in his speech.
“He will always be remembered as an honest man, a great economist and a leader who dedicated himself to reforms. As an economist, he rendered many services to the nation. During a difficult time, he served as Governor of the RBI…” When he was a minister of Finance in former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna PV Narasimha Rao’s cabinet, gave the country reeling from the economic crisis a new direction in terms of economy,” he added.
Prime Minister Modi visited Singh’s residence on Friday morning to offer condolences to his family and pay his last respects. In a statement on X, Prime Minister Modi said, “India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president JP Nadda and Congress leaders including KC Venugopal were among those who paid tribute to the former Prime Minister. Earlier in the day, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi visited the residence to pay their tributes.
Singh’s mortal remains will be kept at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in Delhi on Saturday morning from 8:00 to 10:00 for public viewing. His last rites will be held near Rajghat, the traditional cremation ground of former prime ministers.
Born on September 26, 1932 in Punjab, undivided India, Manmohan Singh left an indelible mark on the nation as an economist and statesman.
Known as the architect of India. economic liberalizationHe served as Finance Minister in the government of PV Narsimha Rao, introducing reforms in 1991 that opened India’s economy to global markets and ended a major obstacle to the economy, the License Raj in India.
During his tenure as the 13th Prime Minister of India, from 2004 to 2014, the longest after Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, landmark legislations were passed such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the Right Act to Information (RTI) and the Right to Information Act. to the Education Act (RTE).
His career as a bureaucrat has also been notable. The Center conferred the second highest civilian honor on Manmohan Singh, Padma Vibhushanin 1987.
Singh was also RBI Governor from 1982 to 1985 and retired from active politics earlier this year after 33 years as a Rajya Sabha member.