PM Narendra Modi (left), Dr Manmohan Singh (AP)
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid tribute to former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on his 93rd birth anniversary, acknowledging his long years of service in public life.Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi wrote, “Tributes to former PM Dr Manmohan Singh Ji on his birth anniversary. We recall his contributions to our nation during his long years in public life.” Dr Singh, who served as India’s 13th Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 leading the UPA government, is widely credited for ushering in key economic reforms during his earlier tenure as finance minister in the 1990s – under the leadership of PV Narasimha Rao – and for maintaining a steady economic trajectory during his decade-long prime ministership.A respected figure across party lines, Singh served multiple terms in the Rajya Sabha, representing Assam for nearly three decades – from 1991 until his retirement in 2024. He contested 1999 Lok Sabha elections from South Delhi constituency but lost to BJP’s Vijay Malhotra, but remained in Parliament through the Upper House. He also served as leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha from 1999-2004, along with Sonia Gandhi as LOP in Lok Sabha. Leaders across the political spectrum also extended wishes and recalled his role in shaping India’s modern economic framework. He passed away on December 26, 2024.
