'Dr Singh's conscientiousness towards duties was truly inspiring...' When PM Modi praised Manmohan

Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, who passed into the ages on Thursday night, was well respected as a Parliamentarian. In fact, in February 2024, when Dr Singh was being given a farewell by the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi heaped praise on his predecessor.

He said, "Dr Manmohan Singh has made significant contributions to this House six times through his valuable insights and leadership, both as a member and in opposition. Despite ideological differences and debates, his enduring guidance to this House and the nation will always be remembered. Whenever discussions on democracy ensue, the esteemed Dr Manmohan Singh’s contributions will undoubtedly be highlighted and celebrated."

PM Modi then went on to give an instance of how committed Dr Singh was towards upholding democracy and parliamentary conventions.

PM Modi said, "I recall a recent incident in the House where a vote was being cast. It was evident that the Treasury Bench would secure victory, with a significant margin. However, Dr Manmohan Singh, despite being in a wheelchair, made the effort to cast his vote. His conscientiousness towards his duties was truly inspiring. Furthermore, I have observed instances where committee members arrived in wheelchairs to vote during committee elections. Their aim was not to secure victory for a particular candidate but to uphold the principles of democracy. Therefore, today, I extend heartfelt prayers, on behalf of all of us, for his continued good health and for his ongoing guidance and inspiration."

Dr Singh, the first Prime Minister outside the Nehru-Gandhi family to serve two full terms and complete 10 years in office, concluded his 33-year tenure in the Rajya Sabha on April 3, 2024.

Singh was first elected to the Upper House in October 1991, just months after he became the Union Finance Minister in June of that year. Representing Assam for five terms, he shifted to Rajasthan in 2019.

A skilled orator in both Urdu and English, Singh was widely regarded as one of the most eloquent parliamentarians in recent memory. In his first budget speech in 1991, he famously declared, “No power on earth can stop an idea whose time has come. I suggest to this august House that the emergence of India as a major economic power in the world happens to be one such idea.”

Singh was also unafraid to express his emotions on sensitive issues. In the Rajya Sabha, he stated, “I bow my head in shame” in reference to the 1984 Anti-Sikh massacre.

Known for his wit and literary flair, he left a lasting impression when the late Sushma Swaraj used an Urdu shayari to challenge the Prime Minister. Singh, a passionate admirer of poet Allama Iqbal, responded with a poetic retort: “Maana ki teri deed ke kabil nahi hoon main, tu mera shauq dekh mera intizaar dekh” (Agreed, I am not worthy of your gaze, but behold my passion and see how I wait).

Singh’s final intervention in Parliament came in opposition to demonetisation, which he denounced as “an organised loot and legalised plunder.”