BUT did she not just do what she promised her supporters," asked Dr. Manmohan Singh to me on 25th September 2022, his 90th birthday. When streams of visitors were pouring in to wish him, he was more interested in discussing the then UK Prime Minister Liz Truss' controversial budget that she had just presented which eventually led to the collapse of her government.
This one incident conveys a lot about Dr Singh, as I fondly called him. Nothing excited him more than nation building.
He devoted his entire life to his country's development and prosperity. At 90, he still had a child-like curiosity about political, geo-political, social and economic developments in India and the world. He was always looking to imbibe ideas from all around on what and what not to do for India's development. He understood profoundly that navigating the treacherous terrain of politics was critical and inevitable to make a meaningful contribution to the nation. But just as he sharply observed in Truss' budget incident, he had an oldfashioned belief about leaders' keeping their promises to people. Virtues of sincerity, integ rity, loyalty and diligence mattered as much to him as free trade and poverty alleviation.
This story is from the December 27, 2024 edition of The Morning Standard.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 27, 2024 edition of The Morning Standard.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Engineering the Actor Within
Parvati Nair talks about her latest film Mr Rani, her career so far, and multiple projects on her plate.
It's a Bling Thing
From preppy fashion accessories to elevated essentials, designer Tiara Dhody's latest chic bijouterie works as a serotonin booster
The Sun and Stars of Inside Living
A home is a compelling personal statement of the owner's personality. How doing it up by zodiac sign can unleash the full potential of colours, shapes and textures
More than Just History
Though the writing begins with a little uncertainty, the author hits her stride quickly building on extensive research
How the Mesopotamians Imagined Earth
The Mesopotamian civilisation, which civilisation, arose around 3400 BC, was one of the earliest urban civilisations.
The Power to Rise Above Loss
Children, some people say, \"We lead an ethical life. We do not betray or harm anyone.
Making 2025 Your Best Year
Eleven infallible strategies to transform New Year resolutions into habits
Her Cakes, Her Cakewalk
Mumbai's queen of confectionery completes two inspired decades of baking sweet somethings for movie stars and celebrity tycoons who get their sugar hit from her little empire.
Wild and High
Tucked away from the well-worn tourist paths of Madhya Pradesh's Kanha and Bandhavgarh lies Satpura's hidden gem the Denwa Backwater Escape.
Till Resignation Does Us Part
Workplace duos aren't a new phenomenon, and in recent years they've become increasingly prevalent
