Former prime minister Manmohan Singh died yesterday at the age of 92. As tributes poured in from politicians across the spectrum, the front pages of leading English newspapers were devoted to the news of his passing.
“Nation mourns former PM Manmohan Singh, the economist-ruler credited with liberalisation,” was The Hindu’s headline on page 1. The report described him as a “prolific communicator when it came to foreign policy” even though the opposition sometimes criticised him for being “maun”. The report also said “few would remember his maiden Budget also set the foundation of India’s modern stock market boom with the creation of SEBI”.
The front page of The Times of India described Dr Singh as the “man who liberated India’s dreams”.
Quoting Singh from 2014 – “history will be kinder to me” – the report said this turned out to be true.
“No Indian PM could match him in nonchalance when facing a blizzard of bad news…What informed the serene Sikh’s cool self-confidence in the face of excoriating banner headlines on corruption and dysfunction? One, Singh was, in public life, unflappable. Two, he knew, even if his critics forgot in the heat of the news, his legacy as the man who changed India’s economic destiny was unchallengeable,” The Times of India said.
In Delhi, Indian Express splashed the headline “Dr Singh walks into history” across page 1. Describing him as an “unlikely politician”, the report said he “believed in the importance of the free market and at the same time redefined the role of the welfare state when he was PM”.
A smaller story at the bottom of the page remembered how Singh was “meticulous about replying to all requests on email” when contacted for interviews, even as his health failed.
“In the nation’s capital where leaders have little patience – or the need – to worry about who’s being rubbed the wrong way, Singh was an exception. I remember the afternoon of May 22, 2004, when his name was announced by the Congress party for prime ministership. Security was being strengthened outside his residence but having persuaded his wife Gursharan Kaur to give The Indian Express an interview, we got some time with him. ‘I will need everybody’s help for the task ahead,’ he said, his hands folded.”
Hindustan Times’s headline said “The Great Liberaliser”, noting that Singh was “counted among India’s most erudite political thinkers” and “revered around the world for his academic acumen”.
“But the second half of his tenure was bruised by a blizzard of corruption allegations, policy paralysis, and deep dissension inside his government that tarnished his legacy and led him to famously pronounce that history will be kinder to him,” the report said.
Finally, The Telegraph in Kolkata, which described Singh as a “meritocrat of lofty decency”.
“Long, long ago, there was a country called India and for some time it was fortunate to have a wise ruler named Dr Manmohan Singh,” the report said. “For 10 years he ran the affairs of the country with prudence, humility and grace.”
Many journalists will remember Singh as a prime minister who took questions from the press. At his last press conference in 2014, he took over 60 questions. Click here to read about Singh’s legacy.
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