Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh breathed his last at 92 on December 26. He was admitted to the emergency department of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi after his health deteriorated earlier today.
Making the official announcement, AIIMS said that the Congress veteran was being treated for age-related medical conditions and had a sudden loss of consciousness at home on Thursday.
"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 a sudden loss of consciousness at home on 26 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," the statement read.
As Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh steered the economy further towards liberalisation and globalisation. But before he became the PM, he served as finance minister in the government of Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao from 1991 to 1996, implementing reforms that helped stabilise India's economy.
Condoling his death, Congress leader Salman Khurshid said Dr. Manmohan Singh's contributions to the nation and his dedication to public service will always be remembered. "Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India. His contributions to the nation and his dedication to public service will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. ," he posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Mourning the Congress veteran's death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Manmohan Singh one of India's most distinguished leaders. "India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. Rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist. He served in various government positions as well, including as Finance Minister, leaving a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years. His interventions in Parliament were also insightful. As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people's lives," he said.
Manmohan Singh presented a groundbreaking budget that marked a significant shift in India's economic policy, abolishing India's License Raj, reducing tariffs and interest rates, and starting to dismantle government monopolies. He opened up the Indian economy to foreign investment and technology. Singh's reforms lifted millions of Indians out of poverty and created millions of new jobs over the next three decades.
Singh had retired from the Rajya Sabha in April 2024 after a span of 33 years. He entered the Rajya Sabha in October 1991, months after becoming the Union Finance Minister in the PV Narasimha Rao-led government.
Born on September 26, 1932 in a village in the Punjab province of undivided India, Singh is survived by his wife, Gursharan Kaur, and their three daughters. His legacy as the architect of economic reform will be remembered for generations to come.
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