- India
- International
Manmohan Singh, India's 13th Prime Minister, remains an enigma wrapped in contradictions. Revered as the architect of India's economic boom, yet criticized for his perceived lack of political acumen, his legacy is a complex tapestry woven with triumphs and challenges.
Born in 1932, Singh's path was paved with academic excellence. Earning a doctorate from Oxford, he entered the Indian bureaucracy, becoming renowned for his expertise in trade and economic planning. His 1991 budget, as Finance Minister under P.V. Narasimha Rao, marked a watershed moment. Embracing liberalization, he dismantled socialist-era restrictions and opened the economy to global markets. This "Singh-Rao" era is credited with transforming India from a near-bankrupt state into a vibrant, growing economy.
Despite his economic success, Singh remained aloof from active politics. However, in 2004, Sonia Gandhi, leader of the Indian National Congress, surprised the nation by choosing him to lead the party in elections. Initially skeptical, Singh, the first Sikh Prime Minister, led the Congress to victory, ushering in an era of coalition politics.
Under Singh's leadership, India witnessed unprecedented economic growth, averaging 7.7% for a decade. Millions were lifted out of poverty, living standards rose, and India emerged as a global economic power.
Singh's government faced its share of controversies, including the 2G spectrum allocation scam and the Commonwealth Games corruption allegations. While Singh himself remained untainted, these scandals eroded public trust and contributed to the Congress's defeat in 2014.
On February 8, 2024, Manmohan Singh bid farewell to the Upper House and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Manmohan for his outstanding cotribution.
Remembering the contribution of Dr Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister said, “Due to his long tenure guiding the house and the nation, he will figure in every discussion of the democracy of our nation”. The Prime Minister suggested that all Members of Parliament try to learn from the conduct of such distinguished members as they are the guiding lights. The Prime Minister remembered the former Prime Minister coming on wheel chair to vote in the House as an inspiring example of a member’s dedication to his duties.
April 05, 2024 7:11 am
Rahul Gandhi's bid to trash his Cabinet's ordinance was seen as Manmohan Singh’s weakest moment as PM. What is not so widely known is that Rahul had apologised to Singh afterwards
April 03, 2024 7:38 am
Manmohan Singh became a member of the Upper House for the first time in October 1991. He was elected for the sixth term in 2019.
March 15, 2024 1:51 pm
An old video of Shah Rukh Khan telling politicians to be 'as honest as realistically possible' is being widely shared online.
February 11, 2024 5:45 am
There was an opportunity for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to finish the incomplete reforms of 1991 during the 10-year rule of UPA from 2004-2014, but no reforms were carried out, she said.
February 09, 2024 2:06 pm
Narendra Modi consistently hit out at Singh in the lead-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, making his RS farewell tribute to him quite a departure. Manmohan's criticism of Modi more on policies.
February 09, 2024 2:51 am
The rare praise came hours before the Government released a “white paper” on the economy, saying the decade-long UPA rule under the Congress-led UPA — 2004 to 2014, during which Singh was PM — turned India “from a healthy economy in 2004 to a stagnant economy in 2014”.
October 03, 2023 10:33 pm
Modi uses former PM's speech to target Rahul Gandhi's call for "jitni aabadi utna haq", asks whether Hindus as majority should corner most of the resources
September 26, 2023 10:56 am
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi sought inspiration in Singh for his "integrity, unwavering commitment to nation-building and economic upliftment of the masses."
September 24, 2023 9:29 am
Jumla is a Hindi word meaning, roughly, a tricky act or statement. On election eve in 2014 and 2019 the BJP rolled out several jumlas. The Women’s Reservation Bill is another.
September 20, 2023 9:28 am
RJD veteran says Parliament was conducted with greater decorum when he was an MP, adding 'The debates had a certain standard. People got ample time to speak and the Chair maintained its dignity'.
June 20, 2023 9:15 pm
Here's a look at Indian Prime Ministers with US Presidents during their State Dinners over the years since India gained Independence.
January 30, 2016 2:10 pm
President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Congress President Sonia Gandhi remembered Mahatma Gandhi on his 68th death anniversary and paid homage to the Father of the Nation.
October 22, 2015 10:19 pm
Giant effigies of ten-headed demon king Ravana, his son Meghnad and brother Kumbhakaran went up in flames marking the triumph of good over evil as fervour marked Dussehra festivities across the country on Thursday (October 22). Pranab Mukherjee, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Rajnath Singh and other dignitaries watched the evil going up in smoke.
August 05, 2015 6:22 pm
Senior Congress party leaders including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were seen standing near the Gandhi statue with black flags and placards.
April 01, 2015 6:43 pm
Daughters of Former PM Manmohan Singh, Upinder Singh and Daman Singh, at the Supreme Court in New Delhi on Wednesday.
March 12, 2015 5:20 pm
Singh was coal minister for at least a part of the time when the alleged “inefficient” allocations were made.
December 31, 2014 8:44 pm
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the top news and newsmaker in 2014. He led BJP to a historic election victory and formed a stable government at the Centre.
November 13, 2014 5:01 pm
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi speaks at the 125th Birth Anniversary Function of Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi.
October 02, 2014 12:35 pm
On Gandhi Jayanti, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Mahatama Gandhi in Rajghat, New Delhi.
September 22, 2014 1:14 pm
Tibetan Spiritual leader, Dalai Lama met former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his residence in New Delhi.
June 22, 2020 6:06 pm
The Accidental Prime Minister starring Anupam Kher is based on the book of the same name by Sanjaya Baru. The film chronicles the time when Manmohan Singh served as the Prime Minister. Here's what the audience had to say after watching it.
June 22, 2020 6:10 pm
Presenting former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh with the 2017 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, disarmament & development, UPA Chairperson appeared to take a dig at the current dispensation through her praise for Dr Singh.
June 22, 2020 7:19 pm
February 25, 2016 4:21 pm
New Delhi, Feb 25 (ANI): Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday targeted the Congress, saying that the grand old party, which has been tolerated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for so many decades, should also tolerate the saffron party for at least ten years. Naidu said that the Congress was unnecessarily targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said unlike past governments where the prime minister (Manmohan Singh) presides and madam (Sonia Gandhi) decides, the BJP-led Government was working collectively in which Prime Minister Modi presides and the team decides.
January 16, 2016 4:45 am
New Delhi, Jan 16 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented certificates to Indian Army officers for their innovative works on the occasion of Army Day. The officers were honoured for their contributions in the areas of communications, counter-militant operations and others. The 'At-Home function' held in New Delhi was attended by President Pranab Mukherjee, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and others. Army Day is observed every year on January 15 to commemorate Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa's taking over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from Sir Francis Butcher, the last British commander, in 1949.
January 09, 2016 7:40 am
New Delhi, Jan 09 (ANI): Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar on Saturday said Pakistan’s reaction is not very much different, adding that earlier Pakistan’s former prime minister Yusuf Gilani did the same thing after 26/11 attack and spoke to former prime minister Manmohan Singh, and now Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is also doing the same, after the Pathankot attack. He added that India has given them lot of evidences but Pakistan’s court is not treating those evidences with respect.