Remembering Dr. Manmohan Singh

With the passing of Dr. Manmohan Singh on December 26th 2024, India has lost a true patriot and one of her finest sons. The Congress Party has lost an iconic leader who inspired and set an example for countless Congress workers across generations.

Dr. Manmohan Singh will be remembered as one of India’s most accomplished Prime Ministers. He led the UPA’s diverse coalition through challenging times. He navigated internal and external challenges to guide India to a place of economic, social, and international strength. Our rights-based framework, the landmark loan-waiver for farmers, and the Indo-US nuclear deals are but some of the truly game-changing achievements of his administration. As Dr. Singh himself suggested, history will be kinder to him than his own times and will without doubt remember this period as a milestone in India’s journey to the Constitution. But perhaps much more than just the achievements of his administration, history will remember Dr. Manmohan Singh for the kind of political leader he was.

His personal integrity and simplicity were exemplary. He was deeply knowledgeable, not just because of his outstanding journey as an economist and academician, but also because of the lessons he learnt from his personal struggles. This combination of personal integrity and knowledge made him a visionary who could see beyond the horizon of his times. As a leader, he was quiet, never bombastic or aggressive and yet managed to stitch and keep together a diverse coalition and led them towards a common goal.

But the enduring memory will be the humility, humanity, and grace with which he always carried himself. He showed us that it was possible to exercise authority without being authoritarian, that it was possible to lead without dominating, that it was possible to achieve high-stature without an inflated ego, and that it was possible to be powerful and yet be kind, humble, and giving. Dr. Manmohan Singh’s example is especially essential as India exits the dark era of its current Prime Minister and his band who reduce our politics with their every act.

Thank you Dr. Manmohan Singh, for the incredible human being you were, for the life of service you led, for the many achievements of your time in government, for the legacy of political leadership you leave behind and the inspiration you will be for generations to come.

Jai Congress. Jai Hind. Jai Jagat.