Nation mourns the loss of Dr. Manmohan Singh, India’s economic reform pioneer, who passed away at 92. His deep ties with Odisha stand out.
New Delhi : India is mourning the passing of one of its most celebrated leaders, Dr. Manmohan Singh, the architect of the country’s economic liberalization. The former Prime Minister, who served from 2004 to 2014, breathed his last on Sunday at AIIMS, Delhi. He was 92.
As a mark of respect, a seven-day national mourning period has been announced. All government programs scheduled for today stand canceled. Dr. Singh’s last rites will be performed with full state honors. His mortal remains were moved to his official residence, where leaders from across the political spectrum and dignitaries will pay their last respects.
The news of his demise has left the nation in profound grief. Tributes have poured in from all corners of the country, acknowledging his role in reshaping India's economy and elevating its status on the global stage.
Odisha’s Special Connection with Dr. Manmohan Singh
Dr. Singh's ties with Odisha go beyond his official capacity as Prime Minister. He shared a familial bond with the state through his daughter, Daman Singh, who married Ashok Pattnaik, an Odia IPS officer.
Despite being a non-Odia, Dr. Singh was deeply fascinated by Odisha’s culture, cuisine, and traditions. During his visits to the state, he often embraced its heritage, spending quality time immersing himself in the local way of life.
A Family Bond Cemented by Odisha
Dr. Singh’s daughter, Daman Singh, is a distinguished writer and an alumna of St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University, and IRMA, Gujarat. She tied the knot with Ashok Pattnaik, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Gujarat cadre, in 1991. Known for his illustrious career, Pattnaik served as the CEO of the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID), playing a pivotal role in strengthening India’s intelligence infrastructure.
In 2007, Ashok Pattnaik received the prestigious President’s Police Medal, which was personally presented by Dr. Singh during his tenure as Prime Minister.
The bond between Dr. Singh and Odisha remained strong throughout his life. His wife, Gursharan Kaur, even visited Pattnaik’s residence in Bhubaneswar during a trip to Odisha in 2012, reflecting the close-knit relationship between the two families.
Legacy of Simplicity and Humility
Dr. Singh’s legacy is marked by his transformative economic policies, his unwavering integrity, and his unassuming nature. Despite his towering achievements, he remained a figure of humility, a quality mirrored in his family’s interactions with Odisha.
As India bids farewell to a stalwart leader, Odisha too mourns the loss of a statesman who shared an enduring connection with the state. His contributions to the nation and his personal bond with Odisha will remain etched in the annals of history.
Key Highlights :
- Dr. Manmohan Singh passed away at 92, leaving a legacy as India’s reformist Prime Minister.
- A seven-day national mourning period has been declared.
- Singh’s familial ties with Odisha stemmed from his daughter’s marriage to an Odia IPS officer, Ashok Pattnaik.
- Singh's humility and fascination with Odisha's culture were well-documented during his lifetime.
No comments:
Post a Comment