Mumbai: Gah Begel, a nondescript village characterised by its muddy rock and thick forest, is about 100 km south of Islamabad, now in Pakistan. It caught the attention of the world when its bright and hard-working young boy, who studied in the local Urdu-medium primary school, went on to become the prime minister of India, the world’s largest democracy.
On Friday, the village once again came into focus when the little boy from Gah, the well-known architect of economic transformation in India, Dr Manmohan Singh, passed away at the age of 92 in New Delhi. The village mourned its most famous inhabitant of pre-independent India just as it had rejoiced when he had become the prime minister of India.
Born on September 26, 1932, to Gurmukh Singh Kohli, a clerk for a dry fruits trader, and Amrit Kaur, Manmohan was only five months old when his mother passed away; he was raised by his paternal grandmother, Jamna Devi.
Despite the family’s financial struggles, Singh’s dedication to his studies was unwavering. While other children played in the fields, the young ‘Mohna’ (his friends fondly called him) would be found preparing for exams under candlelight.
Singh attended the village school until he was 10 when he moved to Peshawar to live with his father and continue his studies. The family moved to Amritsar in 1947 after the partition of India. It is here that Singh appeared for the matriculation examination.
However, he never forgot his native village, so when he became PM, The Energy and Resources Institute reportedly set up power microgrids to provide lighting in the village (which was now part of Pakistan).
The natives of Gah, especially his friends, thought that Singh might have persisted in the aftermath of the Partition due to riots. They were pleasantly surprised when they found out that Singh was alive and occupied one of the highest seats of power in India. They waited for their son of the soil to visit someday, but the 26/11 Mumbai attacks changed everything.
However, in the village of Gah, the stories of India’s PM continued to be passed down from one generation to the next.
Beginning of a brilliant academic career
Singh pursued his higher education at Panjab University in Chandigarh, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Economics. Singh later attended the University of Cambridge, where he completed his undergraduate degree in Economics in 1957 and subsequently earned a D.Phil. in Economics from the University of Oxford in 1962.
Before entering politics in 1971, Dr Singh had a distinguished academic career. He taught at Panjab University and the Delhi School of Economics. His scholarly work garnered respect, particularly his contributions to international trade and development economics.
Dr Singh’s transition to public service began when he joined the Indian government as an economic advisor in the Ministry of Foreign Trade.
1991, an epochal year in the history of India, ushered in Economic Liberalisation
Dr. Singh’s most significant contribution came in 1991 when he was appointed Finance Minister of India. At a time of severe economic crisis, he implemented comprehensive economic reforms that liberalised the Indian economy, leading to rapid economic growth and modernisation.
Crossing another milestone
In 2004, Dr. Singh became the Prime Minister of India, leading the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) coalition government. His tenure is marked by several key initiatives and policies:
Economic Growth: Under his leadership, India experienced robust economic growth, becoming one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world. His government focused on inclusive growth, aiming to reduce poverty and expand opportunities for all sections of society.
Social Programmes: Dr Singh’s administration launched several ambitious social welfare programs, such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which aimed to provide employment and improve rural infrastructure, and the Right to Information Act, which enhanced transparency and accountability in governance.
Nuclear Deal: One of the significant achievements of his tenure was the 2008 Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement, which ended India’s nuclear isolation and allowed it to engage in nuclear trade with other countries. This agreement was a cornerstone of India’s strategic partnership with the United States.
Foreign Policy: Dr. Singh worked to strengthen India’s ties with various countries and played a crucial role in India’s engagement with global forums like the G20. His foreign policy focused on maintaining strategic autonomy while building strong economic and security partnerships.
Challenges & Criticisms
Despite these achievements, Dr. Singh’s tenure was not without challenges and criticisms. His government faced allegations of corruption and scandals, which marred the UPA’s image. Additionally, his perceived lack of assertiveness and control over his cabinet led to questions about his leadership style.
The criticisms must have affected him because, towards the end of his tenure, he remarked in his last press conference, “I honestly believe that history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media or, for that matter, the opposition in Parliament. Given the political compulsions, I have done the best I could do.”
Legacy
Dr Manmohan Singh is widely respected for his intellect, integrity, and contributions to India’s economic development. His legacy as a reformer who transformed the Indian economy and as a leader who championed inclusive growth and social welfare remains influential in Indian politics and policy-making.
Dr Manmohan Singh’s journey from a humble village in British India to the pinnacle of political power in the world’s largest democracy is a testament to resilience, intellect, and unyielding dedication to public service. Despite facing numerous challenges, both personal and professional, Dr Singh’s unwavering commitment to his nation’s progress never faltered, earning him the appreciation of millions.
An eventful life dotted with landmark achievements
As a young boy who crossed the newly drawn borders during Partition, he dreamed of a prosperous and inclusive India. His life’s work, characterised by economic reforms that opened up India’s markets to the world and social policies aimed at uplifting the marginalised, was a direct reflection of those dreams. Dr Singh’s tenure as Prime Minister was not just about policy and governance; it was about realising the aspirations of millions of Indians who sought a better life, a leadership that makes us all proud.
Dr Singh’s quiet demeanour, often perceived as a weakness, was, in fact, his greatest strength. It was the quiet determination of a man who believed in action over rhetoric, in results over accolades. His stoic presence in the face of political turbulence and economic crises inspired a sense of stability and confidence in a nation brimming with potential yet grappling with deep-seated issues.
The emotional core of Dr Singh’s legacy lies in the stories of countless Indians whose lives were touched by his policies. The rural labourer who found steady employment through MGNREGA, the student who accessed quality education through expanded programmes, and the common citizen who demanded transparency through the Right to Information Act—all these lives were intertwined with the vision of a better India that Dr. Singh tirelessly worked towards.
As Dr Singh stepped down from the Prime Ministerial office in 2014, he left behind a legacy not merely of economic reforms but of a profound human impact. His story is a poignant reminder that true leadership is measured not by the power one holds but by the lives one touches. His life’s work continues to inspire future generations of Indians to dream bigger, to strive harder, and to believe in the transformative power of dedicated public service.
In the twilight of his illustrious career, Dr Manmohan Singh stands as a beacon of humility and perseverance. His journey is a powerful narrative of hope and progress, echoing the timeless truth that with dedication and integrity, one can indeed change the course of history. As India marches forward, the indelible marks of Dr Singh’s contributions will forever guide its path towards a brighter, more equitable future.
It’s no wonder that the village of Gah today mourns its most illustrious son, who was lost because of the Partition.
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