As India bids farewell to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, reminiscences of his exceptional management and humility proceed to pour in. T Nanda Kumar, who served as Singh’s meals and agriculture secretary from 2006 to 2010, shared heartfelt anecdotes about working with the long-lasting chief throughout a number of the nation’s most difficult moments. Singh handed away on Thursday night time in New Delhi on the age of 92.
Nanda Kumar vividly recalled his first one-on-one assembly with Singh in 2006 when India was grappling with a meals scarcity. The choice to import meals had drawn widespread criticism, and Kumar approached the prime minister to debate the difficulty.
“He listened patiently, just like the professor he was, and defined the necessity to increase provides when demand outstripped availability,” Kumar informed PTI. “He informed me, ‘As prime minister, I can not let any Indian go with out meals.’ That summed up his method to decision-making.” Kumar described Singh as a frontrunner guided by compassion and a deep sense of accountability, particularly throughout crises.
In 2007, as recurring meals shortages loomed, Singh inspired Kumar to discover long-term options. This collaboration resulted in transformative initiatives just like the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, which bolstered agricultural productiveness, and the Nationwide Meals Safety Mission, which enhanced rice and wheat yields. Singh additionally accepted rising buffer inventory norms by 5 million tonnes, getting ready India for emergencies.
Throughout the world meals disaster of 2008, Singh made one other daring transfer, supporting a ban on non-basmati rice exports to safe home provides. Regardless of exterior strain, Singh remained resolute. “I’ve to handle the wants of my countrymen and ladies earlier than sending meals to different nations,” Kumar recalled Singh saying.
This choice proved essential through the 2009 drought, serving to India preserve meals safety with out resorting to imports—a testomony to Singh’s foresight and conviction.
Kumar additionally remembered Singh’s mental camaraderie with Dr. C Rangarajan, then Chairman of the Financial Advisory Council. “Their discussions on meals and agriculture insurance policies have been like masterclasses in economics. I felt like a pupil listening in awe,” Kumar mentioned.
He praised Singh’s humility and ease regardless of his towering mind. “For me, he was not only a prime minister however a guru. I think about myself lucky to have labored underneath his steerage for near seven years,” Kumar mentioned.
Past meals safety, Singh’s tenure as finance minister within the 1990s stays legendary for spearheading India’s financial reforms. His transformative 1991 funds steered the nation out of a monetary disaster and laid the inspiration for India’s development story.
As a mark of respect, India will observe a seven-day state mourning, throughout which the nationwide flag will fly at half-mast. Leaders from throughout the political spectrum have paid tributes to Singh, hailing him as a visionary chief whose legacy will proceed to encourage generations.
For Nanda Kumar, Singh’s management was outlined by a uncommon mixture of mind, compassion, and humility. “He confirmed us that good governance comes from a superb coronary heart,” Kumar mentioned. Manmohan Singh’s life was a lesson in management, and his passing leaves an indelible void. His legacy, nevertheless, stays a guiding mild for a nation he served with unparalleled dedication.
