One of the first prime ministers of the country from a minority community, Singh is also credited with shaping India’s foreign policy and steering the talks for a civilian nuclear deal with the US amid stiff opposition from the Left parties.As the Finance Minister in the PV Narasimha Rao-led Congress government in 1991, Singh played a pivotal role in ushering in economic reforms in the 1990s when the country was facing an economic crisis. “No power on earth can stop an idea whose time has come,” Singh famously said.Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, denoting Singh’s honesty, said that few people in politics inspire the kind of respect that Sardar Manmohan Singh did.“His honesty will always be an inspiration for us and he will forever stand tall among those who truly love this country, as someone who remained steadfast in his commitment to serve the nation despite being subjected to unfair and deeply personal attacks by his opponents. He was genuinely egalitarian, wise, strong-willed and courageous until the end,” Priyanka wrote.5-decade career in bureaucracy and politics1954: Master’s in Economics from Panjab University1957: Economic Tripos from Cambridge Univ 1962: DPhil in Economics from Oxford Univ 1971: Economic Advisor in commerce ministry1972: Chief Economic Advisor in finance ministry 1980-82: Member, Planning Commission1982-1985: RBI Governor 1985-87: Planning Commission Deputy Chairman1987-90: Secretary General of South Commission in Geneva 1990: Advisor to Prime Minister on Economic Affairs March 1991: Chairman of UGC 1991: Rajya Sabha MP from Assam, and re-elected in 1995, 2001, 2007 & 2013 1991-96: Finance Minister in P V Narasimha Rao govt 1998-2004: LoP in Rajya Sabha 2004-2014: PM
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