Manmohan Singh Death: Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh is no more. He breathed his last at AIIMS in Delhi at 9.51 PM on Thursday, December 26. He had been suffering from heart and breathing troubles for a long time and had undergone bypass surgery several times.
His death plunged the world into a state of mourning. Netizens and world leaders shared moments from the life of Manmohan Singh, a statesman and leader who had very few haters.
Dr Manmohan Singh was perhaps the last of the leaders, who shared a healthy intellectual relationship with their opponents and took on them with wit, humour, and intellect rather than loud and vicious speeches. One such moment of his life was captured on Parliament's cameras in 2011 and is now going viral.
Shayari Battle In Lok Sabha
It was the time of the India Against Corruption Movement and the BJP was gearing up for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The Parliament was having a heated debate over the WikiLeaks cable issue. A cable was intercepted by WikiLeaks claimed that the Congress sought to buy votes in 2008. This led to an uproar in Parliament.
During this, Opposition leader Sushma Swaraj attacked the Prime Minister with the lines of Shahab Jafri. She recited, "tu idhar udhar ki na baat kar ye bata ki kaafila kyon luta...". An unfazed Manmohan Singh hit back in kind with a sher by Allama Iqbal: "Maana ki teri deed ke qaabil nahin hoon main. tu mera shauq dekh mera intezaar dekh [I accept that I am not worthy of your sight, you look at my passion and my wait]."
These lines from Dr Manmohan Singh instantly transformed the atmosphere of the House, which erupted in claps and smiles in admiration of both the leaders. Sushma Swaraj, who had so far been in a relentless attack mode, also smiled and laughed heartily at the wit of the quiet giant of Indian politics, Manmohan Singh.
Dr Manmohan Singh was born in Gah in British India (now Pakistan,) after which he migrated to Amritsar. His mother passed away at a young age, after which he was raised by his grandmother and his early life was spent in great difficulty. He then studied at Punjab University and later obtained a degree in Economics from abroad.
He completed his D Phil from Cambridge University. After this, his career began as a professor, but he became part of the government after a few years. He rose to the position of RBI Governor, UGC Chairman, Rajya Sabha MP, Finance Minister and Prime Minister.
Manmohan Singh's Last Rights Likely Tomorrow
The former Prime Minister's last rites are likely to be held tomorrow in Delhi. Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit said, "The schedule has not been finalised yet. His daughter is coming from abroad and she will reach by afternoon and evening, after that everything will be decided...the last rites might take place tomorrow..."