“Dr.
Manmohan Singh: The Architect of Modern India's Economy | A
Legacy of Leadership"
Early Life and Education Manmohan Singh was born on September 26, 1932,
in Gah, Punjab, British India, to Gurmukh Singh Kohli and Amrit Kaur. His
family, belonging to the Punjabi Sikh community, migrated to Haldwani, India,
during the Partition. In 1948, they relocated to Amritsar, where Singh attended
Hindu College. Excelling academically, he graduated with a bachelor's and
master's degree in Economics from Panjab University in 1952 and 1954,
respectively, topping his class throughout. He furthered his studies at the
University of Cambridge, completing his Economics Tripos in 1957, and later
pursued a DPhil in Economics at the University of Oxford as a member of
Nuffield College.
Academic and Early Career Singh returned to India in 1957 as a senior
lecturer at Panjab University. Between 1959 and 1963, he served as a reader and
then as a professor of economics at the same institution. His international career
began with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
(UNCTAD) from 1966 to 1969. Lalit Narayan Mishra recognized Singh’s
economic acumen, appointing him as an advisor to the Ministry of Foreign
Trade.
Economic Architect and Policymaker From 1969 to 1971, Singh taught
international trade at the Delhi School of Economics. His expertise saw him rise
to key positions, including Chief Economic Adviser (1972), Secretary of the
Finance Ministry (1976), and roles in the Planning Commission and Reserve
Bank of India, where he served as governor from 1982 to 1985. Singh’s global
experience continued as Secretary General of the South Commission in Geneva
until 1990.
Transformational Finance Minister (1991-1996) In 1991, during an economic
crisis marked by dwindling foreign reserves and a high fiscal deficit, Prime
Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao appointed Singh as Finance Minister. Singh’s
reforms dismantled the Licence Raj, reduced state control, encouraged Foreign
Direct Investment, and opened India’s economy to globalization. His efforts
sparked a shift from socialism to capitalism, achieving long-term economic
growth and earning him global recognition.
Leader of Opposition and Entry into Politics Elected to the Rajya Sabha in
1991, Singh served multiple terms. From 1998 to 2004, he was the Leader of
Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. Although he lost a Lok Sabha bid in 1999, his
reputation as a technocrat remained intact.
Prime Ministerial Tenure (2004-2014) Singh became India’s 14th Prime
Minister in 2004, leading the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.
Known for his integrity, he spearheaded economic policies that sustained 8-9%
GDP growth and enacted landmark legislation such as the Mahatma Gandhi
National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the Right to
Education Act (RTE).
Economic Reforms: Introduced Value-Added Tax, reformed banking,
and implemented debt relief for farmers.
Infrastructure and Healthcare: Continued the Golden Quadrilateral
project and launched the National Rural Health Mission.
Security and Transparency: Strengthened anti-terror laws post-2008
Mumbai attacks, established the National Investigation Agency, and
passed the Right to Information Act.
Foreign Policy Achievements Singh’s pragmatic diplomacy strengthened
relations with Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan. He signed the historic Indo-US
civilian nuclear agreement and enhanced defense and trade ties with Japan,
Europe, and Israel. India became a key player in BRICS and IBSA under his
leadership.
Challenges and Legacy While Singh’s second term saw corruption scandals
and protests, he maintained focus on governance. His tenure ended in 2014,
marking him as the first Prime Minister since Nehru to complete two full terms.
Public Image Widely respected for his decency and integrity, Singh was hailed
as one of the world’s most revered leaders. Recognized by Forbes and
Newsweek, he played a pivotal role in India’s rise as a global economic power.
His legacy as a visionary economist and leader remains unparalleled.
Conclusion Manmohan Singh’s journey from a modest beginning to
transforming India’s economy is a testament to his dedication and expertise. His
reforms laid the foundation for a modern, progressive India, and his legacy
continues to inspire millions.
