Dr. Manmohan Singh: A Tribute

April, 2004. I was at AIIMS, New Delhi for an eye test, waiting in the corridor for my turn. I don’t recall why our two daughters had tagged along. Maybe, their annual exams were over, they had a few days off, and I had promised to take them to a book store on our way back.

The girls began fidgeting since the wait was much longer than they had anticipated. Then I noticed a frail patient – a senior citizen in white kurta pajama walking out of the consultant’s room with his medical papers in hand and proceeding to another room down the corridor for a further test, I guess.

Do you know who that gentleman is? I asked my daughters.

He’s a Sardar, said the youngest.

Well, I’ve seen his photo in the papers, but can’t remember his name, said the eldest.

He’s Dr. Manmohan Singh, our former Finance Minister, and at present the Leader of Opposition, I said.

Do you note anything special about him? I asked.

The girls waited for me to elaborate.

‘He’s all by himself. No chaperon, not even a relative. Had he so wished, he could have called the Director, AIIMS to avail of VIP treatment. But here he is, walking the corridors of AIIMS, and queueing up to meet the Consultant.’

I think my daughters got what I wished to convey.

Dr. Singh was sworn in as Prime Minister on May 22, 2004; and for a 2^nd time on May 22, 2009.

Rest in Peace, Dr Manmohan Singh- humble professor, economist, former FM, former PM- with a frail body but a feisty spirit; and on whose lean shoulders the weight of power and position sat ever so lightly.  

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Postscript

Several colleagues and friends have shared their own fond memories of Dr. Manmohan Singh, a few which are given below.

He not only impressed world leaders, peers, colleagues, opponents, and critics with his intelligence, integrity, quiet determination, and unwavering commitment to serve the people of India; but also all left a mark on all who came in touch with him, in his own gentle manner.

Hema Ramanujam, spouse of R. Ramanujam

‘I had an interesting and soul touching interaction with Dr Manmohan Singh when he was the PM in 2012.

My husband was then Secretary to the PM and we had been invited to a dinner at the PM’s residence. It was a fairly large gathering and  Honourable PM and Mrs. Kaur were moving around and meeting the guests individually. When the PM came to us, I thought since we didn’t have to be introduced, he would just smile and move across. Instead, he stopped and started to speak to me with folded hands and all seriousness:

“Mrs Ramanujam, your husband has been given a massive responsibility in the PMO. He has to work long hours. If you think he is neglecting the family, I’m responsible for this. I’m sorry.”

I was stunned at this completely unexpected statement coming from the host who was no less a person than the Prime Minister of the country. I didn’t know how to respond. Probably mumbled something that it was my husband’s duty and it was nothing new for me as he had always had jobs that required him to work hard. It was amazing that the PM was so humble and could spontaneously say what a wife would ideally like to hear. No wonder he could easily disarm even his worst critics with his soft spoken, caring, warm and friendly disposition. A truly great leader who impressed and inspired with his professional competence and human values!!

Sharing a pic of that meeting:

R. Ramanujam

I had myself been floored when I made a courtesy call on him soon after joining. He had asked me to generally share my experiences in civil service and I counted back from the year 2011 to 2000. I thought I should not take more of his time and about to pause when he interrupted me and said you have also worked in Vajpayee’s PMO. He then listed a number of things he would like me to drive from the PMO on his behalf and finally asked me if I had anything to say. I said I would try to live up to his expectations and indeed felt blessed to have been picked up for such a prestigious assignment. His reply was “No, no . We are the ones who are fortunate to have your services”. It was a pleasure to interact with him whenever I met him for briefing on specific issues. Have very fond memories. May he attain supreme and lasting bliss.

S.C. Khuntia, my batchmate, and a dear friend.

‘I was Director in DEA when Dr. Manmohan Singh was FM. For some time, I was looking after Europe, and there used to be many dignitaries like FMs of other countries. As Director, I used to brief him before the visit, and then remain present during the meetings. He was very thorough, gentle, and courteous with everybody. He would go through the notes in the file carefully. Many times, he had marked portions of my notes as Director, and referred to the same in his notes while approving proposals.

I handled one of his visits to Germany to attend an Indo-German bilateral economic cooperation meeting, and he was regarded very highly by the German FM, and team. His talk to their Chamber of Commerce was superb.

As Joint Secretary, there were many occasions to meet him during presentations and he was always a keen listener and gracious. I had met him in Bangalore once in ISEC, where he attended a discussion at the invitation of Prof. Govind Rao, and another time in 2017 when he came to inaugurate the academic session of Dr. Ambedkar School of Economics.’