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Manmohan Singh: The Prime Minister Who Whispered While India Roared
In a nation where political chaos reigns supreme, Manmohan Singh quietly governed India for a full decade, his low voice hardly audible above the din of furious debates. This week, we bid adieu to a leader who left the political arena as discreetly as he entered it—a reminder of a different India, one where growth peaked under his leadership but has been squandered by present administrations.
The Quiet Scholar Who Took the Helm
Singh wasn’t born with a silver spoon; he emerged from a humble Sikh family in what is now Pakistan, battling against the odds. His diligence led him to the heights of Oxford, yet he returned to a country where political legacy is built on volume rather than wisdom. His tenure as prime minister (2004-2014) marked a high-water mark for India’s economy, boasting growth rates unheard of in previous years, yet many still question what has truly been achieved in the long run.
The Puppet Master and His Players
When the Congress Party crowned Singh, it was as if they had placed a seat warmer in charge. Rahul Gandhi, the apparent heir, lacked the charisma necessary to lead. As Rahul mourns the loss of his “mentor,” one must wonder if the party has cursed itself by failing to recognize true leadership in favor of dynastic power.
Economic Liberalization: A Double-Edged Sword
In 1991, Singh’s policies began to unravel the suffocating regulations that stifled India’s entrepreneurial spirit. Yet, as the saying goes,
“it’s not the destination, but the journey.”
While Singh set the stage for growth, the fruits were slow to come to bear, leaving many left behind as a concentrated elite amassed wealth. The subsequent fallouts were hardly reflected as the Congress Party gradually abandoned its initial promises.
Missed Opportunities and Populist Regimes
As Singh’s legacy is scrutinized, one fact remains startlingly clear: his administration missed an opportunity that could have changed India forever. While China surged ahead, India floundered, highlighting a glaring failure in vision. Whether due to Singh’s inability to industrialize or failure to support capable successors, foreign investment shifted to China while India lagged.
Backlash Against Modern Populism
Now, we find ourselves in an era dominated by fervent populists like Narendra Modi, whose loud rhetoric echoes the dire need for nationalism. Singh’s calm demeanor stands in stark contrast to Modi’s virulent voice, which incites divisions among communities in pursuit of electoral gain. His silence is missed in a landscape now marred by extremism and incendiary politics, as evident in Modi’s call to arms against so-called enemies of the state.
The Indelible Mark of a Quiet Leader
Despite his shortcomings, Singh’s governance led to notable initiatives: the Right to Information Act, a rural employment scheme, and groundbreaking digital identification. These reforms are now being utilized and fine-tuned by an adversary who has taken lessons from Singh’s quiet pragmatism and practically wielded them to consolidate power.
As flags fly at half-mast, the question remains: in today’s chaotic political realm, might we yearn for leaders who prioritize the common good over the clamor of populism? In a time of inequality, dissent, and division, can we afford to forget the effectively muted legacy of Manmohan Singh?
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