Things, We Can Learn From Ex. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh

Manmohan Singh, who saved India from the terrible economic crises in 1991-1992. In 1991, PV. Narasimha Rao elected as Prime Minister of India and surprisingly appointed Manmohan Singh as Finance Minister. Over the next few years, despite strong opposition, he as a Finance Minister carried out several structural reforms that liberalised India’s economy. By the time, Singh become a great economist and enhanced reputation globally.

In 1992, as there was no other option to save India’s economy, Manmohan Singh requested the then PM to pledge gold from India’s gold reserves as collateral to Swiss bank and Bank of England.

Manmohan Singh was the mastermind behind the economic liberalization in India. It was only and only because of him that our country got out of such an economic crisis in 1992. In 1993, he awarded as Finance Minister of the year by EuroMoney and AsiaMoney.

The first Sikh and also the only prime minister after Jawaharlal Nehru to return to power after completing a full five-year term.

Here’re the things we can learn from this great person:

1. Staying Calm:

The one thing that we can learn from him is his tranquillity. He remains unfazed, composed, calm amid all the chaos. It was his silence that held the complex coalition together for 10 years.

2. Accepting different roles:

Manmohan Singh began his bureaucratic career when Lalit Narayan Mishra hired him as an advisor in the Ministry of Foreign Trade.

During the 70s and 80s, he held several key posts in the Government of India, such as Chief Economic Advisor (1972–76), Reserve Bank governor (1982–85) and Planning Commission head (1985–87).

In 1991, as India faced a severe economic crisis, newly elected Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao surprisingly inducted the apolitical Singh into his cabinet as Finance Minister.

He as a Finance Minister carried out several structural reforms that liberalized India’s economy. And then he became the Prime Minister of world’s largest democracy. He has covered long journey from being an academician to a bureaucrat and then bureaucrat to a politician.

3. Staying humble and modest:

In this world of self promoting leaders and stuttering peacocks, he has proven to be utterly modest with all the set of qualifications and achievements that he has.

4. Knowledge:

Dr Singh was a noted economist. He was handpicked by former PM Narasimha Rao to become the FM of his government. Their team implemented the liberalization that changed India.

5. Ability to face Criticism:

Manmohan Singh has faced all sort of criticism for his silence and inaction. But the ability to take all this criticism and perform business as usual is commendable.

6. Patience:

One thing that impressed me to the core was his patience. They way he handled opposition party, his own party, his leadership was wonderful. He had lot patience when things were not in his control. Unfortunately his patience had changed to silence on certain issues. 

Some facts about Dr. Manmohan Singh:

1. You don’t need a good speaker always to be the head, as Manmohan Singh is the great example.

2. He was not belonging that religion which is followed by 81%-90% of the population of the country rule.

3. Head of that party, which disrespected Manmohan Singh’s religion and the biggest enemy to his Sikh community.

4. People call him a most honest person and still with the tag of running the most corrupted government ever in the Indian history.

5. Biggest and highly regarded economist and still face economic crises when he actually run the country.

6. MMS was actually not a politician but still run the government.

7. One of the best example that, how to deal with the boss and enemy very politely.

8. He had 2 bypass surgeries and still manage to do your job of running the largest democracy and the 2nd most populous country in the world.

9. He didn’t promote his own family members for political posts ever.

Awards and Rewards:

• 2014 – Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers
• 2010 – World Statesman Award
• 2005 – Top 100 Influential People in the World by Time
• 2005 – Honorary Fellowship by All India Institute of Medical Sciences
• 2002 – Outstanding Parliamentarian Award
• 2000 – Annasaheb Chirmule Award
• 1997 – Lokmanya Tilak Award
• 1994 – Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Award (1994–95)
• 1993 – Finance Minister of the Year by AsiaMoney
• 1993 – Finance Minister of the Year by EuroMoney
• 1987 – Padma Vibhushan by President of India
• 1956 – Adam Smith Prize by University of Cambridge