Fri Dec 27 04:41:02 UTC 2024: ## India Mourns the Passing of Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

**New Delhi, India** – India is in mourning following the death of its former Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, at the age of 92. Singh, the country’s first Sikh prime minister, passed away Thursday after a period of declining health, a hospital statement confirmed. The government has declared seven days of national mourning and will hold a state funeral for the influential leader.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led tributes, calling Singh “one of India’s most distinguished leaders.” Singh, often referred to as the “reluctant prime minister” due to his reserved nature, unexpectedly rose to lead India in 2004 after the Congress party’s victory.

His legacy is largely defined by his role as the architect of India’s landmark economic reforms in the 1990s. As finance minister under P.V. Narasimha Rao, Singh spearheaded a dramatic shift away from Soviet-style economic planning, dismantling the restrictive “license raj” and opening the economy to private and foreign investment. These bold moves, often compared to a “big-bang” approach, are widely credited with fueling India’s rapid economic growth and lifting millions out of poverty.

During his two terms as prime minister (2004-2014), Singh oversaw sustained economic growth exceeding 8% at times. He also championed significant initiatives, including the landmark Indo-US civil nuclear deal, which ended India’s nuclear isolation. While his first term was marked by economic success, his second was shadowed by several major corruption scandals that damaged public trust.

Born in 1932 in present-day Pakistan, Singh overcame considerable hardship to achieve an exceptional education, earning degrees from Cambridge and Oxford. He held key positions at the Reserve Bank of India and the International Monetary Fund before entering politics.

Despite facing criticism about his leadership style and accusations of being unduly influenced by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, Singh’s impact on India’s economic landscape remains undeniable. He is remembered for his quiet competence and his pivotal role in transforming India into a global economic powerhouse. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.

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