Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s economic reforms during his 10-year tenure as the country’s leader, passed away at the age of 92 on Thursday.
The hospital statement attributed Manmohan Singh’s demise to “age-related medical conditions" and said that he was hospitalised after a “sudden loss of consciousness" at home.
The government announced seven days of mourning along with a state funeral for the Congress leader. Tributes poured in from all sections of society, with PM Narendra Modi Modi saying, “India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders."
His death was covered globally with several media outlets highlighting his contributions, controversies, and legacy. Some of the global media houses dubbed Singh the “reluctant king" and a “Mild-Mannered" leader.
The New York Times described Singh as a “soft-spoken" and “cerebral" leader and credited the late Congress leader for the “far-reaching changes that propelled his country’s emergence as an economic powerhouse able to compete with China."
It also highlighted the criticism received by Singh’s administration for handling domestic terrorism, especially the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, and corruption scandals during his second term, from 2009 to 2014.
US-based news agency Associated Press chalked out Manmohan Singh’s journey in Indian politics, highlighting how the 1991 economic reforms by the prime minister “skirted a potential economic crisis" in India.
The Washington Post recalled Singh’s dramatic rise from a technocrat to prime minister, crediting him for strengthening India-US ties. It mentioned the landmark 2005 Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement and noted President Barack Obama’s description of US-India relations as “one of the defining relationships of the 21st century."
Reuters, a global news agency owned by Thomson Reuters, described Singh as a “reluctant prime minister" who emerged as one of India’s most successful leaders. It credits Singh for India’s rapid economic growth and lifting millions out of poverty. It also mentioned the challenges faced by Singh while running a coalition government at the Centre.
Doha-based news outlet Al Jazeera reflected on Singh as a “mild-mannered technocrat" and a leader of great personal integrity, mentioning his landmark economic reforms. It also mentioned his words in 2014: “I honestly believe that history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media or opposition parties in parliament."
Further, the US Department of State put out a press statement expressing condolence over the demise of Manmohan Singh, calling him “one of the greatest champions of the US-India strategic partnership".
“His leadership in advancing the US-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement signified a major investment in the potential of the US-India relationship. At home, Dr Singh will be remembered for his economic reforms that spurred India’s rapid economic growth," the US government said.
Source: News18