NEW DELHI: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, then 91, made an appearance in the Rajya Sabha in a wheelchair. It was August 7, 2023, and the Upper House was deliberating on the contentious Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023. Despite his frail health, Singh displayed his steadfast dedication to the democratic process.
The bill at hand sought to enhance the central government’s authority over the affairs of Delhi’s administration, including framing rules regarding the functions, terms, and service conditions of officers and employees.
Recognising the significance of the vote, the Congress party issued a stern three-line whip, urging its MPs to be present in full force. It called on its members to “remain present in the House from 11:00 am onwards till adjournment” and “support the party stand.”
The dedication of the former Prime Minister did not go unnoticed.
Days later, during the farewell session for retiring Rajya Sabha members, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Singh’s contribution and unwavering sense of duty. Recalling the moment, PM Modi said, “I remember in the other House, during the voting, it was known that the treasury bench would win, but Dr Manmohan Singh came in his wheelchair and cast his vote. This is an example of a member being alert to his duties.”
Singh breathed his last at Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on the night of December 26, at the age of 92 leaving behind a legacy that reshaped modern India.
As finance minister in the 1990s, Singh’s visionary policies unshackled India from the licence raj, steering the country away from economic collapse. His tenure as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 witnessed the implementation of transformative initiatives such as the Right to Information (RTI), the Right to Education (RTE), and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA).
Manmohan Singh’s political career spanned over three decades, exclusively as a Rajya Sabha member. First elected in 1991, he served as leader of the opposition from 1998 to 2004 before ascending to the nation’s highest executive office. Known for his erudition, humility, and ability to forge consensus, Singh’s contributions extended beyond Indian borders, earning him respect in global financial and economic spheres.
