A visionary's touch

Before taking up his destined role as the Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh helmed the India Habitat Centre during its formative years (1997-2004) with subtle democratic values and cultural understanding

- RAJ LIBERHAN

India Habitat Centre was fortunate that in its formative years, it was nurtured and guided by a personality which combined in himself great intellect, humanity and a world view of a visionary of rare foresight. This person had earned international respect and recognition for having transformed the Indian economy and set it on a path of prosperity beginning with a breakthrough budget in 1991.

It was the year, 1997, for the Centre, which was still struggling with issues that customarily plague complex projects where funding is contributory, and managerial missteps had placed its future in jeopardy. At this time, the promoter Institutions decided to request Dr. Manmohan Singh to be the President of the Centre and lead it into fulfilling its mandate that had been stranded for some time. He was already the Chair of two of the member Institutions (Research and Information Systems) and another one, the National Foundation of India. Dr. Singh was a bit hesitant and needed to be convinced of the credentials of the Centre and that it was making sincere efforts to get back on its feet and to start fulfilling its mission to serve the citizenship of the City.

The Centre was lucky and Dr. Manmohan Singh accepted the request and became the President till the time when he went on to adorn the august office of Prime Minister of India.