Manmohan Singh was born in 1932 in Gah in the Punjab province of undivided India (File)
"My Prime Minister": Pranab, Sonia Wish Manmohan On 87th Birthday
Former president Pranab Mukherjee and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi were among leaders who wished former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his 87th birthday on Thursday. "Birthday greetings to Dr Manmohan Singh. Not only a stalwart economist who shaped the economic landscape of India, you have been my 'Prime Minister', a long time colleague and above all a close friend," Mr Mukherjee said in a tweet.
"May you have a long & healthy life and many more years in service of the Nation," added the veteran, who was a key member of the Manmohan Singh cabinet before he became President.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi praised Dr Singh for his "sagacious leadership".
"Singh's sagacious leadership ensured that India takes a determined leap forward, even during trying times. Present-day rulers across the spectrum have much to learn from his innate wisdom," Ms Gandhi said in a statement issued by the Congress party on its official Twitter handle.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a week-long visit to the United States, was among the earliest to wish his predecessor. "Best wishes to our former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji on his birthday. I pray for his long and healthy life," PM Modi tweeted.
Manmohan Singh, a Congress Rajya Sabha member, gress's top leaders, turns 87 today (repeating info) is a renowned economist credited with bringing in sweeping reforms in the 1990s. 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.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also tweeted to wish Dr Singh on his special day. "Greetings and warm wishes to former Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh ji on his birthday. I wish him good health and a long life," the defence minister posted on Twitter.
The Congress party tweeted a video highlighting Dr Singh's career. "As we celebrate Former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh, we look back at some of his greatest achievements," the Congress posted on its official twitter handle.
"He has served our country for several decades & continues to do so with his renowned intelligence, humility & dedication. #HappyBirthdayDrSingh," the post read.
The video showed Dr Singh's career highlights from 1972 when he was appointed as chief adviser in the ministry of finance, to 2004 when he became country's prime minister. It also carried some of the policy decisions taken by Dr Singh's government.
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi re-tweeted the video to wish the former prime minister.
"On his birthday, let us acknowledge Dr Manmohan Singh Ji's selfless service, dedication & incredible contribution to the cause of nation-building. My best wishes to him on his birthday. I pray for his good health and happiness in the years to come," Mr Gandhi tweeted.
Dr Singh was born on September 26, 1932, in the village Gah in the Punjab province of undivided India.