Union Cabinet condoles Manmohan Singh; Half-day holiday for central govt officials on Saturday
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New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Friday mourned the demise of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, describing him as an eminent statesman, a renowned economist, and a distinguished leader whose contributions profoundly shaped India's national life.
During a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Cabinet observed a two-minute silence to honour Dr Singh and passed a condolence resolution in his memory, reported PTI. "Dr Manmohan Singh has left an indelible imprint on our national life. In his passing, the nation has lost a visionary leader," the resolution stated, expressing deep sorrow and extending heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family on behalf of the government and the nation.
As a mark of respect, the government declared seven days of state mourning until January 1. During this period, the national flag will be flown at half-mast across the country and at all Indian missions and high commissions abroad. Dr Singh will be accorded a state funeral, and central government offices and CPSUs will observe a half-day holiday on Saturday.
Born on September 26, 1932, in Gah village, West Punjab, in undivided India, Dr Singh's illustrious academic journey began at Panjab University, where he earned a Master’s degree in economics in 1954. He later received First Class Honours in economics from the University of Cambridge in 1957 and was awarded a DPhil by the University of Oxford in 1962.
Dr Singh began his career as a senior lecturer at Panjab University, Chandigarh, and became a professor of economics at the same university. In 1969, he became a professor of international trade at the Delhi School of Economics, Delhi University.
Dr Singh became an economic advisor in 1971 in the then Ministry of Foreign Trade. He was chief economic advisor in the Union Ministry of Finance (1972 to 1976), secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs (1976 to 1980), member secretary of the Planning Commission (1980 to 1982), and Reserve Bank of India governor (1982 to 1985).
Among the many awards and honours conferred upon Dr Singh in his career, the most prominent are India's second highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan (1987), the Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Award of Indian's Science Congress (1995), the Euro Money Award for Finance Minister of the Year (1993), the Adam Smith Prize of the University of Cambridge (1956).
Dr Singh served as finance minister between 1991 to 1996. His role in ushering in a comprehensive policy of economic reforms is well recognised.
Dr Singh became prime minister on May 22, 2004, and served till May 2009. He became prime minister for a second term in May 2009 and served till 2014.