Nostalgic Reflections with Sadness: Remembering India's Beloved Dr. Manmohan Singh
As the world embraced the cheerful vibes of the Christmas season, I was abruptly struck by somber news. A message on my friend's WhatsApp display picture expressed her sorrow—Dr. Manmohan Singh had passed away on the night of December 26th.
A quick check on my phone confirmed the heartbreaking news. At the age of 92, Dr. Manmohan Singh had indeed left us.
A wave of sadness washed over me. I held a deep respect for Dr. Singh, whose tenure as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 coincided with a pivotal decade of my life—my twenties. His leadership and the economic reforms he championed left an indelible mark on my generation. His legacy, built on dedication and vision, will always be cherished.
Flashback: How Dr. Manmohan Singh Saved the Indian Economy from Collapse
I had a vague idea that Dr. Manmohan Singh was instrumental in spearheading India’s economic revival with his 1991 reforms when he served as India’s "accidental" Finance Minister (FM).
His policies centered on liberalization, globalization, and a series of transformative economic reforms. This was at a time when India faced dire circumstances, with foreign reserves falling below $1 billion—barely enough to sustain the country for 15 more days.
As the newly appointed FM, Dr. Singh made bold and innovative decisions to attract foreign investment and rebuild the reserves. Under his leadership, India took the unprecedented step of pledging its gold reserves to the Bank of England to secure necessary funds for development initiatives.
Soon after, global multinational corporations (MNCs) began establishing offices in India, exports grew, and foreign reserves started to rise steadily.
*Here is a presentation narrating this story of how Dr Manmohan Singh saved India from a grand economic crisis during 1991 - *
Check the attached video presentation in the tweet>>
Planting the Seeds of India’s Economic Boom
Dr. Manmohan Singh’s economic reforms came at an opportune time. When the IT boom occurred in the early 2000s, India was ready to reap the rewards. The software sector flourished, and the economy experienced unprecedented growth.
With increased disposable income in the hands of young Indians, there was a surge in spending on entertainment, food, travel, real estate, automobiles, and consumer goods. This domestic spending stimulated multiple sectors, further boosting GDP growth.
During this period, middle-class Indians enjoyed improved job opportunities, particularly in the service sector, real estate, and call centers, creating abundant employment and elevating living standards.
India’s Silent Hero: The Architect of Economic Success
Dr. Manmohan Singh was a visionary economist and the true architect of India’s economic transformation. His timely and thoughtful policies prevented the Indian rupee from losing its value during the crisis and laid the foundation for sustained economic growth.
By lifting India out of a grave economic crisis, Dr. Singh proved to be a hero long before his tenure as Prime Minister. His policies ensured that India would never again face a foreign reserve crisis, as software exports continued to bring in steady foreign exchange.
Rising on the Global Stage
India's global image improved significantly under Dr. Singh’s leadership. Indian professionals became highly sought after in international markets, especially in IT, where their skills in technology, communication, and problem-solving earned global recognition.
India also emerged as a leading software exporter, earning a reputation for producing world-class IT products on par with developed nations. This fostered a sense of pride and optimism among Indians, inspiring dreams of becoming a global economic powerhouse.
India’s Good Fortune: A Salute to Dr. Manmohan Singh
Reflecting on Dr. Singh’s monumental contributions, it is clear that his vision not only saved India from economic collapse but also set it on a path of sustained growth. For this, all Indians owe him a heartfelt salute.
Dr. Manmohan Singh was a focused, dedicated, and honorable leader—a true statesman who worked tirelessly for the betterment of the country. India was indeed fortunate to have had such a humble yet accomplished leader at the helm.
An Inspiring Journey: Academic Success Despite Humble Beginnings
Dr. Manmohan Singh earned his esteemed title through remarkable academic brilliance and dedication. He pursued economics at prestigious institutions, including Cambridge University and Oxford University, where he obtained his D.Phil. degree through sheer effort and intellect, rather than financial influence.
Infact Dr. Manmohan Singh, managed coming up academically, only through his dedicated, sincere hardwork as he hails from a poor family, so even completing schooling would have posed challenges for sir!
Dr Manmohan Singh is inspiring enough for all of us just here, attaining academic prominence despite coming from an economically disadvantaged background! But we know, he accomplished bigger feats later, elevating him further as an inspirational, very honorable personality!
A Legacy of Service to Indian Governance...
Dr. Manmohan Singh dedicated his life to serving India in various capacities. Before becoming Finance Minister, he held key positions such as Financial Advisor to the Prime Minister, RBI Governor, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), and a member of the Planning Commission.
Dr. Singh’s dedication to public service and governance formed a strong backbone for India’s economy, leaving a lasting impact on the nation’s financial stability.
A Heartfelt Reflection and a Promise to Honor His Legacy
This is just the first part of my tribute to Dr. Manmohan Singh. Although I remember seeing him as Prime Minister on television, I now realize his unparalleled contributions as Finance Minister.
In the past, I subscribed to the criticism labeling him as a "silent" and "weak" Prime Minister controlled by higher powers. Today, I feel ashamed for having held such views. Through this series of tribute articles, I hope to atone for this and honor his legacy properly.
Dr. Manmohan Singh is my inspiration today—for his focus, integrity, humility, honesty, and dedication to solving problems. Those of us who built our careers and wealth post-1992 owe him a debt of gratitude.
This tribute has only just begun. There’s much more to explore in the next part of this series.
To be continued…
