NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday wished his predecessor Dr Manmohan Singh on his 92nd birthday and prayed for his long and healthy life.
Born in 1932 in a region that is now part of Pakistan, the Congress leader served as India’s Prime Minister from 2004-14.
“Birthday greetings to former PM Dr Manmohan Singh Ji. I pray that he is blessed with a long and healthy life,” PM Modi wrote on X.
Congress party hailed ex-PM Manmohan Singh’s work on his birthday, saying he “made many public welfare policies keeping in mind the interests, progress and welfare of all sections of the country”.
“The entire life of renowned economist and former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has been dedicated to the country. He has made many public welfare policies keeping in mind the interests, progress and welfare of all sections of the country. On behalf of the Congress family, happy birthday and best wishes to Dr Manmohan Singh, the architect of economic prosperity in India. We pray to God for your healthy and long life,” Congress wrote on X.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge also wished Manmohan Singh on his birthday and said that Singh stands as a “rare embodiment of simplicity, dignity and ingenuity in the realm of politics”.
“On the occasion of his birthday, I extend my warmest wishes to former Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh ji. He stands as a rare embodiment of simplicity, dignity and ingenuity in the realm of politics. A visionary statesman, whose actions spoke louder than words, we remain deeply grateful for his tremendous and invaluable contributions to the nation. Wishing him good health, happiness and a long life ahead,” Kharge said.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is also party’s ex-chief, praised Singh for shaping the country’s future with humility, wisdom and selfless service.
“Happy Birthday to Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. Your humility, wisdom, and selfless service in shaping our country’s future continue to inspire me and millions of Indians. Wishing you good health and happiness always!” Rahul Gandhi wrote on X.
Singh, who served as the finance minister in the then Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao-led dispensation from 1991-1996, is credited as a key architect of the economic reforms effected by the government that broke the stranglehold of socialist-era policies.