Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh turned 88 today. (File)
Highlights
- Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh turned 88 today
- Rahul Gandhi was one of the first to wish the senior Congress leader
- Congress released a video listing out Dr Manmohan Singh's achievements
India feels the absence of a prime minister with the "depth" of Dr Manmohan Singh, said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as he wished the former Prime Minister on his 88th birthday today.
Rahul Gandhi, who was one of the first to wish Dr Manmohan Singh, also praised him for his "honesty, decency and dedication", which, he said, was an inspiration to others.
"India feels the absence of a PM with the depth of Dr Manmohan Singh. His honesty, decency and dedication are a source of inspiration for us all. Wishing him a very happy birthday and a lovely year ahead," Mr Gandhi tweeted, using hashtag HappyBirthdayDrMMSingh.
The Congress praised Dr Manmohan Singh as a dedicated leader who was always committed towards the overall well-being of each Indian. "A dedicated leader's primary aim is always to eradicate the worst evils that plague the society in the soonest & surest possible way. Today, we celebrate former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's commitment towards the overall well-being of each Indian," it tweeted.
The party also released a short video listing out the senior Congress leader's achievements.
Gujarat Congress leader Hardik Patel, meanwhile, credited Mr Singh for good governance and strengthening the Indian economy during his tenure as prime minister of the country.
"Happy birthday to the great economist, former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. May God keep you healthy and provide longevity. Due to Dr. Saheb, the country was strengthened financially, today the public remembers the strong good governance of Manmohan Singh. Jai Ho," he tweeted in Hindi.
Born in Gag, now in Pakistan, on September 26, 1932, Manmohan Singh is credited with bringing in sweeping reforms in the 1990. He was Prime Minister for 10 years until the Congress was decimated by the BJP in 2014 and PM Modi took power for the first time.
Manmohan Singh, who was the first Sikh in office, was also the first prime minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to be re-elected after completing a full five-year term. Mr Singh's political career began in 1991 when he was appointed as the country's Finance Minister under the leadership of late prime minister PV Narasimha Rao. It was the same year during which he helped usher in "liberalisation and privatisation" to the Indian economy.