Manmohan Singh-Ji, India’s first Sikh prime minister, was the child of partition. Opening his eyes in Gah, a small village located in the Chakwal district of Punjab, on 26th September 1932, he would not have imagined even in his wildest dreams that he would grow up to lead one of the most populous democracies of the world. The early years he spent on this side of the border remained etched in his memory, creating an everlasting bond between him and his birthplace.

Following his demise on December 26, 2024, his resume started making the rounds on social media. From matriculation to his doctorate, he completed every degree with first class honors. World-class educational institutes like Oxford and Cambridge university were among his alma maters. Though he was reticent and soft-spoken, his educational achievements speak volumes about his dedication and hard working nature. The year 1991 marked a period of severe economic crisis in India, primarily triggered by the Gulf War of 1990-91. During such tense time, Manmohan Singh-Ji was serving as the Minister of Finance (1991-96). With his economic astuteness and acumen, he turned out to be a beacon of hope for the sinking ship of Indian economy. When Manmohan Singh-Ji took over the charge of Finance ministry in the government of Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, Indian foreign reserves were only enough to........

© The Nation