Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh turned 87 on Thursday, 26 September. Regarded as one of the most astute economic brains in India, Dr Singh had spearheaded India’s economic liberalisation as India’s finance minister from 1991 to 1996.
Amid the global recession of 2008, Dr Manmohan Singh, then prime minister, was credited with having saved India from bearing the brunt of the global meltdown.
Twitter was flooded with birthday wishes for the former prime minister as politicians and common people alike heaped praise on his economic policies and his contribution to the country.
Happy Birthday Dr Singh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Best wishes to our former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh Ji on his birthday. I pray for his long and healthy life.”
From the Indo-US nuclear deal to the Right To Information (RTI) Act, Manmohan Singh introduced several policies and reforms.
Wishing Manmohan Singh on his birthday, former President of India, Pranab Mukherjee said, “Not only a stalwart economist who shaped the economic landscape of India, you have been my 'Prime Minister', a long time colleague & above all a close friend. ”
‘We Need Your Insight Today More Than Ever Before!’
Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wished the former PM on his birthday by sharing a video of his greatest achievements.
A Twitter user wishing Manmohan Singh on his birthday said, “ We need your insight today more than ever before!”
On India In 2019
Following the recent announcement of India’s growth rate slipping from 8% to 5%, Dr Manmohan Singh has, on multiple occasions, voiced his opinion on how the economy can be brought back on track.
Dr Singh, on 1 September 2019, said India’s economic slowdown is a result of “mismanagement” by the Narendra Modi-led government.
Often criticised by the Opposition, during his terms as the prime minister, for not being vocal, Manmohan Singh has been clear about what he thinks about the current state of the country.
Citing a report, the former prime minister took a jibe at the current government when he said that State funding of elections should be rethought, considering a single party has access to 90% of the resources.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera wrote about Dr Singh’s contributions to the Indian economy and how the Manmohan Singh-led government was able to reduce poverty from 38.9% to 21.2% between 2004 and 2011.
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