Gentle Exit of a Giant Reformer

If a nation has to be reminded that the Prime Minister doesn't inevitably signify brute power and crafty political manipulations, that the Prime Minister can be an embodiment of erudition and grace, you don't have to dig deep into history to discover a Jawaharlal Nehru. You found Manmohan Singh barely a decade ago, a leader whose wisdom and humility accorded dignity to politics that has degenerated so much as to evoke ridicule, fear and suspicion from the masses.

- Sanjay K Jha

Manmohan Singh, who not only steered India out of economic turbulence as the Finance Minister in early Nineties but introduced the revolutionary right-based legislations as the Prime Minister between 2004 and 2014, breathed his last this evening at the ripe age of 92. His demise, though immensely tragic, should trigger a national yearning for decency and brilliance in politics. Amidst the obscene political propaganda nowadays, one is tempted to recall what the American president Barack Obama said about Manmohan Singh, "When he speaks, the world listens!"

This wasn't an off-the-cuff remark as Obama later wrote in his memoir, "For the duration of his tenure as Prime Minister, I would find Singh to be wise, thoughtful, and scrupulously honest." He said Manmohan was a politician with uncommon wisdom and decency. While his simplicity and decency were extraordinary, Manmohan's personal integrity remained beyond reproach. He exited the corridors of power without any taint on his persona despite holding so many key posts like Planning Commission chief, RBI governor, Finance Minister and the Prime Minister. Barring some unsubstantiated barbs from his successor, even his enemies praised Manmohan's honesty.