India Mourns Loss of 'Architect of Economic Reforms' Manmohan Singh

New Delhi: The nation is in mourning as the country bid farewell to its former Prime Minister and economic reform pioneer, Manmohan Singh, who passed away on Thursday night at the age of 92. According to Dr Ramakant Panda, a senior cardiac surgeon who treated Dr Singh during his critical coronary bypass surgery in 2009, Dr Singh's first words after undergoing the surgery were not about his health but about his beloved country.
Recalling Dr Singh's remarkable statement, Dr Panda told NDTV, "The first thing he asked me was 'how is my country? how is Kashmir', rather than asking me how he was feeling. To which I replied that he didn't ask anything about his surgery." In response, Dr Singh said, 'I'm not worried about the surgery. I'm more worried about my country.'
Dr Panda further emphasized that Dr Singh was a great human being, a humble person, and a patriot who exemplified the qualities of an ideal patient. "He was never even once dissatisfied or complained about anything after his surgery," Dr Panda said, noting that this reflected the strong character of Dr Singh.
A legendary figure in Indian politics, Manmohan Singh, also known as the 'architect of India's economic reforms,' served as Prime Minister for two terms from 2004 to 2014. His steady reserve and integrity were a testament to his unwavering commitment to serving the nation. The news of Dr Singh's passing has sent shockwaves across the country, with people expressing their condolences and tributes on social media.
In accordance with the tradition of respecting deceased leaders, the government has announced a seven-day state mourning period throughout India, during which national flags will be flown at half-mast. All government programs scheduled for this Friday have been cancelled as a mark of respect to Dr Singh's memory.