‘India Mourns The Loss’: Modi Pays Tribute To Manmohan Singh, Rahul Says He Lost Mentor

Last Updated:December 27, 2024, 00:37 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his predecessor, Dr Manmohan Singh, worked extensively to improve the lives of people.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, shakes hands with his former counterpart Manmohan Singh during a ceremony. Manmohan Singh, India’s former prime minister, passed away on December 26 at the age of 92. (IMAGE: AP PHOTO)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said ‘India is mourning the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders’ on Thursday following the news of his predecessor Dr. Manmohan Singh’s passing.

“India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. Rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist. He served in various government positions as well, including as Finance Minister, leaving a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years. His interventions in Parliament were also insightful. As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives,” he said in a social media post on X, joining a chorus of leaders from across the political spectrum who extended their condolences on the demise of the man who played a pivotal role in transforming India’s economy.

Joining PM Modi in extending condolences was his cabinet minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president JP Nadda and Mallikarjun Kharge, the leader of his rival party, the Indian National Congress, a party of which Dr Singh was a veteran member.

Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader and leader of opposition in the Parliament, said he “lost a mentor and guide”.

“Manmohan Singh Ji led India with immense wisdom and integrity. His humility and deep understanding of economics inspired the nation. My heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Kaur and the family. I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the utmost pride,” Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X.

Nadda, who rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi after hearing reports of Dr Singh falling ill, said the death of the former prime minister was an immense loss to the nation.

“The passing of Former Prime Minister and Economist Shri Manmohan Singh ji is an immense loss for the nation. A visionary statesman and a stalwart of Indian politics, throughout his remarkable career in public service, he consistently voiced for the welfare of the downtrodden,” Nadda said.

Dr Singh’s own party’s chief, Mallikarjun Kharge, said history would remember the former prime minister kindly.

“Undoubtedly, history shall judge you kindly, Dr. Manmohan Singh ji! With the passing of the Former Prime Minister, India has lost a visionary statesman, a leader of unimpeachable integrity, and an economist of unparalleled stature. His policy of Economic Liberalisation and Rights-based welfare paradigm profoundly transformed the lives of crores of Indians, virtually creating a Middle Class in India and lifting crores out of poverty,” Kharge said in a long social media post on X.

“A man of action rather than words, his immense contribution to nation-building will forever be etched in the annals of Indian history,” he further added.

President of India Droupadi Murmu said Manmohan Singh “straddled the worlds of academia and administration with equal ease”. “Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh Ji was one of those rare politicians who also straddled the worlds of academia and administration with equal ease. In his various roles in public offices, he made critical contributions to reforming Indian economy. He will always be remembered for his service to the nation, his unblemished political life and his utmost humility. His passing is a great loss to all of us. I pay my respectful homage to one of the greatest sons of Bharat and convey my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and admirers,” she said in a post on social media.

Home minister Amit Shah said the news of Dr Singh’s demise was “extremely sad”.

“The news of the demise of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is extremely sad. From being the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India to the Finance Minister of the country and as the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh played an important role in the governance of the country. I express my condolences to his family and supporters in this hour of grief. May Waheguru grant peace to his soul and give strength to his family to bear this grief,” Shah said on X.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar said Dr Singh was not just “the architect of Indian economic reforms” but also “responsible for the strategic corrections to our foreign policy”.

“Deeply grieved at the passing away of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today. While regarded as the architect of Indian economic reforms, he was equally responsible for the strategic corrections to our foreign policy. Was immensely privileged to work closely with him. Will always remember his kindness and courtesy. My deepest condolences to his family. Om Shanti,” Jaishankar posted on social media.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said very “few people in politics inspire the kind of respect that Sardar Manmohan Singh ji did”.

“Few people in politics inspire the kind of respect that Sardar Manmohan Singh ji did. His honesty will always be an inspiration for us and he will forever stand tall among those who truly love this country as someone who remained steadfast in his commitment to serve the nation despite being subjected to unfair and deeply personal attacks by his opponents. He was genuinely egalitarian, wise, strongwilled and courageous until the end. A uniquely dignified and gentle man in the rough world of politics,” the Wayanad MP said.