27/12/2024
Dr. Manmohan Singh is a renowned Indian politician and economist who made history by becoming the first Sikh Prime Minister of India, serving from 2004 to 2014. Born on September 26, 1932, in Gah, Punjab, British India (now in Pakistan), Singh's family migrated to India during the partition in 1947 ¹.
Singh's academic achievements are impressive, with a doctorate in economics from Oxford University. He began his career as a teacher at Panjab University and later worked with the United Nations. His bureaucratic career took off when he became an advisor in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
As Finance Minister in 1991, Singh played a crucial role in liberalizing India's economy, abolishing the Licence Raj, and reducing state control. During his tenure as Prime Minister, India's economy grew rapidly, with an 8-9% growth rate. He also implemented several key legislations, including the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and the Right to Information Act ¹.
Singh's foreign policy initiatives were notable, particularly in strengthening ties with the US. He signed the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement in 2008, allowing India access to American nuclear fuel and technology. He also worked towards improving relations with China and Afghanistan ¹.
