Manmohan Singh's decisions that shaped a billion lives

Manmohan Singh served as the Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014, and his time in office is being remembered for the significant impact he had on the country. Singh was the first Sikh to hold the position of Prime Minister and was known for his calm demeanor and expertise in economics. Before becoming Prime Minister, he held various important roles, including the head of India's central bank and finance minister. His leadership during a critical time in the 1990s helped to reshape India's economy. At that time, India was facing a severe financial crisis, with foreign reserves at dangerously low levels. Singh was appointed as finance minister in 1991 by the Congress party, and he took bold steps to deregulate the economy. He reduced import tariffs, devalued the currency, and privatized state-owned companies. He famously stated in his first budget speech, 'No power on Earth can stop an idea whose time has come,' highlighting his belief in the necessity of economic reform. His efforts led to millions of Indians being lifted out of poverty and contributed to India's emergence as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. When Singh became Prime Minister in 2004, many expected Sonia Gandhi, the leader of the Congress party, to take the position. However, she chose Singh as a consensus candidate, believing he would be a stable and non-controversial choice. Despite facing criticism from opposition parties who claimed he was merely a puppet of the Gandhi family, Singh focused on his responsibilities and worked diligently to improve the economy. During his first term, India's GDP grew at an impressive average rate of around 8%, making it one of the fastest-growing major economies globally. Singh's leadership was credited with protecting India from the global financial crisis of 2008. However, his second term was marred by allegations of corruption against some of his cabinet ministers, although his personal integrity was never questioned. In his final press conference as Prime Minister in 2014, Singh expressed hope that history would judge him more kindly than the media and opposition had at the time. He stated, 'I honestly believe that history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media. ' Singh's contributions to Indian democracy were also significant. He introduced several important laws that strengthened citizens' rights. One of these was the Right to Information Act, which empowered citizens to seek information from the government, allowing them to hold officials accountable. He also implemented a rural employment scheme that guaranteed at least 100 days of work per year, which had a profound impact on rural incomes and poverty reduction. Additionally, Singh's government passed a law ensuring free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14, which significantly reduced school dropout rates. Another notable initiative was the Aadhar project, which aimed to improve financial inclusion and the delivery of welfare benefits to the poor. The current government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has continued to use Aadhar as a key component of its policies. In 2005, Singh made a historic apology to the Sikh community for the violence that occurred in 1984 following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. This violence resulted in the deaths of thousands of Sikhs and widespread destruction of their property. Singh's apology was a significant moment in Indian politics, as no other Prime Minister had taken such a step to acknowledge the suffering of the Sikh community. He stated, 'I have no hesitation in apologising to the Sikh community. I apologise not only to the Sikh community, but to the whole Indian nation. ' In 2008, Singh signed a landmark agreement with the United States to end India's nuclear isolation following its nuclear tests in 1998. This deal was seen as a turning point in India-US relations and aimed to help India meet its growing energy needs. However, it faced opposition from critics who argued that it would compromise India's sovereignty. Despite the challenges, Singh remained committed to ensuring India's growth and development. His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by significant achievements and challenges, and his decisions continue to shape the lives of millions of Indians today.