History Will Judge You Kindly With Reverence, Dr. Manmohan Singh, Former Prime Minister of India. A Tribute By Prof. Neelam Mahajan Singh

History will indeed remember you kindly Dr. Manmohan Singh!  Allies, former colleagues paid tributes to Manmohan Singh. 

During the 1970s and 1980s, Singh held several key posts in the Government of India, such as Chief Economic Advisor (1972–1976), governor of the Reserve Bank (1982–1985) and head of the Planning Commission (1985–1987).

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin credited Dr. Singh for steering India’s economic transformation. Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said that Dr. Singh’s work from 1991 till 2014 will be remembered as a “golden chapter in the history of India”

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s parting shot, “history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media” spoken in January 2014 at the last press conference he addressed before demitting office resonated on the night of 26th December, 2024, when Dr. Manmohan Singh breathed his last.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin credited Dr. Singh for steering India’s economic transformation. “His tenure marked an era of steady growth, social progress, and reforms that improved the lives of millions.” Reflecting on the DMK’s steady presence in UPA, he said, that Dr. Singh’s partnership with M. Karunanidhi was instrumental in advancing Tamil Nadu’s development. “Even during turbulent times, Dr. Manmohan Singh and Thalaivar Kalaignar stood together, exemplifying the strength of coalition politics built on trust and respect for regional identities,” Mr. Stalin said. West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee recounted her time in the Union Cabinet, when the two closely worked together. “His erudition and wisdom were unquestionable, and the depth of the financial reforms ushered in by him in the country are widely acknowledged,” she said, adding that she will miss his stewardship and his affection. She was the Railway Minister between 2009 to 2011 in Dr. Singh’s Cabinet. Dr. Manmohan Singh’s key reforms that shaped Indian economy, have etched themselves for the welfare of the people of India. Dr Manmohan Singh's tenure as Finance Minister in the early 1990s and later as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 introduced policies that continue to influence India's growth for posterity. "I honestly believe that history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media, or for that matter, the opposition parties in Parliament," Dr Manmohan Singh famously said in 2014 towards the end of his second term as the Prime Minister.

These words resonate deeply today as the nation mourns the loss of its former Prime Minister and Finance Minister, who died at the age of 92 in New Delhi. The former PM widely regarded as the architect of India’s economic liberalisation, played a pivotal role in transforming the country’s economy during a time of severe economic crisis.  Known for his humility and academic brilliance, Dr. Singh’s economic reforms and social welfare programmes remain his enduring legacy. When Dr. Manmohan Singh was appointed Finance Minister in 1991 by Prime Minister Narasimha Rao, India was on the brink of an economic collapse. The foreign exchange reserves had dwindled to levels that could barely cover a few weeks of essential imports like oil and fertilisers. Inflation was rising, the fiscal deficit was widening, and India faced a balance of payments crisis. Adding to the challenge, the Soviet Union, a key trading partner, had collapsed, cutting off a major source of cheap oil and raw materials. The situation demanded urgent and bold action. Dr. Manmohan Singh, with his deep understanding of economics, introduced a series of sweeping reforms to stabilise the economy and pave the way for long-term growth. The economic reforms of199 were centred around liberalisation, privatisation, and globalisation, which fundamentally changed the Indian economy. Some of the key reforms were:

Devaluation of the Rupee and trade liberalisation - In July 1991, the Reserve Bank of India pledged 46.91 tonnes of gold with the Bank of England and the Bank of Japan to raise $400 million, stabilising the immediate crisis. Singh then devalued the rupee to make Indian exports more competitive in global markets. He also reduced import tariffs and dismantled restrictions on foreign trade, allowing India to integrate with the global economy. Industrial policy reforms included 'Abolishing the Licence Raj' on July 24, 1991. Previously, industries required government approval for most operations, including expansion and production. The new policy deregulated nearly 80% of the industrial sector, reducing the number of industries reserved exclusively for the public sector from 17 to 8. This move encouraged private enterprises and foreign investment, fostering industrial growth and job creation. Banking and financial sector reforms included the financial sector underwent significant changes under his leadership. Following the Narasimham Committee’s recommendations, the statutory liquidity ratio (SLR) was reduced from 38.5% to 25%, and the cash reserve ratio (CRR) was lowered from 25% to 10% over a few years. These measures allowed banks to lend more freely, supporting economic expansion. Licensing requirements for bank branches were eased, and interest rates were deregulated, creating a more competitive and efficient banking system.

His reforms not only saved India from the brink of collapse but also laid the foundation for sustained economic growth. The policies attracted foreign investments, boosted exports, and created new industries. Millions of Indians were lifted out of poverty as job opportunities expanded. By dismantling socialist controls, India transitioned into a market-driven economy, setting the stage for its rise as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Singh’s contributions went beyond his tenure as Finance Minister. As Prime Minister, he championed initiatives that targeted India’s rural and underprivileged population, recognising that economic growth alone could not bridge the gap between urban and rural India. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was launched in 2005, this programme guaranteed 100 days of wage employment annually to rural households. It addressed poverty, underemployment, and rural distress, becoming a cornerstone of his government. Right to Information (RTI) and Right to Education (RTE) - Singh’s government introduced the RTI Act, empowering citizens with access to government information. The RTE Act aimed to provide free and compulsory education to children aged 6-14, ensuring education as a fundamental right. Dr. Manmohan Singh was not only a politician but also a distinguished economist. He held roles at the Reserve Bank of India, Planning Commission, and International Monetary Fund (IMF) before entering politics. His expertise earned him respect globally, with many recognising his efforts to integrate India into the global economy. His economic liberalisation policies transformed India into one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. He dismantled socialist regulations, attracting foreign investment and creating jobs. His legacy includes a modernised industrial sector, a strengthened banking system, and policies that uplifted millions from poverty. As India mourns his loss, history indeed remembers Dr Manmohan Singh kindly, as the architect of modern India’s economic journey and a leader whose policies continue to shape the nation’s future. Dr. Singh was father of economic reforms in the country. Former deputy Chief Minister of Bihar Tejashwi Yadav said that the former Prime Minister presided over a historic period of unprecedented growth and development of the country. His “wisdom, patience, foresight, humility and dedication will always be remembered. Undoubtedly, history shall judge you kindly, Dr. Manmohan Singh ji!” senior RJD leader and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj K. Jha wrote on X. RJD stayed with the UPA for both the tenures and remains a key Congress ally. Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said that Dr. Singh’s work from 1991 till 2014 will be remembered as a “golden chapter in the history of India”. “I worked closely with him for many years. I have not met a person more humble and self-effacing than Dr Singh. He wore his scholarship lightly and never claimed credit for any of his historic achievements,” he wrote in a post on X. Mr. Chidambaram further said that Dr. Singh’s story has not yet been fully told and his achievements have not been fully recorded. “I am sure when we look back upon the 23 years that Dr. Singh was in active politics, we will realize his true contribution,” he said. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh,  commended Dr. Singh’s “steely resolve while remaining soft spoken, sober and always dignified. His Prime Ministership saw revolutionary legislation relating to rural employment, tribal rights, reservations for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and OBCs, primary education, food security, and land acquisition. The Indo-US nuclear agreement was a landmark that enhanced India’s global status. His Prime Ministership saw the highest G.D.P. growth rate in the country’s history. Dr. Manmohan Singh practiced the politics of dialogue, consensus, and accommodation even under difficult circumstances. Nationalist Congress Party (SP) leader Sharad Pawar called Mr. Singh a “global statesman” whose legacy will inspire generations to come. K.T. Rama Rao, working president of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (then Telangana Rashtra Samithi) which was part of UPA-1, calling Dr. Singh a silent architect of modern India, a visionary, a true intellectual and a gracious human being, said, “history will indeed be kinder and grateful to you.”

Former Union Ministers and one of the youngest members of Dr. Singh’s cabinet, Sachin Pilot said that the former Prime Minister will always be remembered for his wisdom and invaluable contributions to India’s economic growth. Union Minister Jitin Prasada, who switched from Congress to the BJP, said that the country has lost a “learned and sensitive leader. I consider myself fortunate that I had worked in close proximity with Manmohan Singh for a long time,” he wrote on X. In retrospect, our late Prime Minister, was born in Gah in undivided Punjab (now in Pakistan) on September 26, 1932, Manmohan Singh’s long and illustrious career is a testament to the spirit of hard work that people affected by Partition have often displayed. 

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