TOP 10 UNKNOWN FACTS ABOUT DR. MANMOHAN SINGH
Dr Manmohan Singh was a former Prime Minister of India and also a renowned economist . He was highly instrumental in opening up Indian economy in 1991 into a free economy. During the 1970s and 1980s, Dr. Singh has also held several important posts in the Government of India and he later became the prime minister of India from 2004 to 2014.
1. Academic Background: Dr. Manmohan Singh is a highly educated economist who earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Panjab University in Chandigarh, India. He then pursued his D.Phil. in Economics from the University of Oxford, where he was a member of Nuffield College.
2. Early Career: Before entering politics, Dr. Singh had a distinguished career as an economist and academic. He held various positions, including Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India (1972-1976), Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (1982-1985), and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India (1985-1987).
3. Economic Reforms: As Finance Minister of India from 1991 to 1996 under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, Dr. Singh played an important role in implementing economic reforms that liberalized India's economy, leading to significant growth and globalization.
4. Architect of India's Economic Liberalization: Dr. Singh is often credited as the architect of India's economic liberalization policies in the early 1990s, which aimed to end the License Raj system and open up the Indian economy to foreign investment and competition.
5. First Sikh Prime Minister: Dr. Manmohan Singh served as the Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014, making history as the first Sikh to hold the position and the first prime minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to be re-elected after completion of a full five-year term.
6. Economic Growth: During his tenure as Prime Minister, India witnessed robust economic growth, with GDP averaging around 8% per year. His government focused on infrastructure development, social welfare programs, and inclusive growth initiatives.
7. Nuclear Deal with the United States: Dr. Singh's government negotiated and signed the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement in 2008. It aimed to facilitate civilian nuclear cooperation between India and the United States and pave the way for India's access to nuclear technology and fuel.
8. Global Recognition: Dr. Singh received several international accolades during his tenure, including the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award, in 1987, and the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding in 1994.
9. Quiet Demeanor: Dr. Singh is known for his quiet and unassuming behaviour, often described as a soft-spoken and reserved leader. Despite his reserved nature, he commanded respect for his intellect, integrity, and economic expertise.
10. Legacy: Dr. Manmohan Singh's legacy is always a subject of debate and analysis. Although he is praised for his role in economic reforms and his contributions to India's growth story, his tenure is also faced criticism on various fronts, including issues of corruption, policy paralysis, and economic challenges towards the end of his term.
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