Thu Dec 26 18:26:53 UTC 2024: ## Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Dies at 92; Legacy of Economic Reform Celebrated

**NEW DELHI** – India is mourning the loss of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away Thursday at the age of 92 due to age-related medical conditions, AIIMS announced. His death has prompted tributes highlighting his pivotal role in shaping modern India’s economic landscape.

Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram, a former minister under Singh, described the period from 1991 to 2014 – a time encompassing Singh’s tenure as Finance Minister and Prime Minister – as a “golden chapter” in Indian history. Chidambaram, deeply emotional in his remembrance, lauded Singh’s humility and self-effacing nature, noting that his “historic achievements” were often understated.

Singh, also a former Reserve Bank of India Governor and Chief Economic Advisor, is widely credited with architecting the 1991 economic reforms that rescued India from the brink of bankruptcy. These reforms, initiated during P.V. Narasimha Rao’s premiership, ushered in an era of liberalization that fundamentally altered India’s economic trajectory and, according to Chidambaram, formed the basis of India’s current middle class.

While championing liberal policies, Chidambaram emphasized Singh’s unwavering commitment to the poor. He cited the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), the restructuring of the Public Distribution System (PDS), and the expansion of the mid-day meal scheme as testaments to Singh’s empathy and focus on social welfare.

Chidambaram concluded by asserting that Singh’s story and accomplishments remain incompletely documented, urging a fuller appreciation of his 23 years of active political life and its lasting impact on India. Singh is survived by his wife, Gurcharan Kaur, and three daughters.

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