Dr Manmohan Singh. (File photo)
New Delhi: Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh passed away on Thursday night at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi due to age-related medical issues after a sudden loss of consciousness at his residence. He was 92.
Singh was rushed to the AIIMS on Thursday night, after he suffered from what was described as a sudden loss of consciousness. Despite immediate resuscitative measures at home and subsequent emergency care at the hospital, he could not be revived.
The AIIMS issued a statement confirming his demise. It said: “With profound grief, we inform the demise of the former Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh, aged 92. He was being treated for age-related medical conditions and had sudden loss of consciousness at home on 26th December 2024. Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the Medical Emergency at AIIMS, New Delhi at 8:06 PM. Despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9:51 PM. [Sic]”
Renowned for his economic reforms that liberalized India’s markets in the 1990s, Singh served as the country’s 13th prime minister for two consecutive terms from 2004 to 2009 and from 2009 to 2014. His tenure was marked by significant policy changes that set India on a path to becoming one of the fastest-growing economies globally. He was also celebrated for his personal integrity, humility, and scholarly approach to governance.
Tributes poured in from across the nation and the world. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed their grief, with Modi describing Singh’s passing as “an irreparable loss to the nation.” In his statement, Modi said, “Dr Singh was a man of great wisdom and integrity who dedicated his life to India’s progress. His contributions will always be remembered.”
Leaders from various political parties also paid homage. Congress leader Sonia Gandhi called him “a statesman who shaped modern India”, while international figures praised his leadership and vision.
Born on September 26, 1932, in Gah, now part of Pakistan, Singh had a distinguished academic and professional career. He held several key positions, including governor of the Reserve Bank of India and finance minister, before becoming prime minister.
Manmohan Singh leaves a rich legacy as an economist, technocrat, and India’s prime minister. His contributions to the nation’s economic policies will be remembered as transformative, leaving an indelible mark on the fabric of modern India.
