New Delhi, Sep 26: A host of leaders, including President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday wished former prime minister Manmohan Singh on his birthday as he turned 91.
Former president Pratibha Patil, Congress chief Mallkarjun Kharge, and party leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi called Singh and gave their best wishes to him. President Murmu, Vice President Dhankhar and Prime Minister Modi greeted the former prime minister over phone.
Modi spoke to Singh in the morning to greet him on his birthday, officials said.
Later, in a post on X, Modi said, “Birthday wishes to former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. I pray for his long life and good health.” The Congress also hailed Singh with party chief Kharge saying he was a “true statesman PM” whose actions spoke louder than his words.
Manmohan Singh led the Congress-led UPA government as prime minister between 2004 and 2014.
He was also India’s finance minister in the P V Narasimha Rao-led government during 1991-96, an epochal era for the country’s economy marked by wide-ranging reforms.
Currently a member of Rajya Sabha, Singh has been ailing for some time. The former prime minister did not have any visitors, sources close to him said.
Wishing Singh on his birthday, Kharge said he is a rare example of simplicity, dignity and grace in politics.
Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi also lauded Singh’s contributions to nation-building. “Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh ji’s integrity, unwavering commitment to nation-building and economic upliftment of the masses will always be an inspiration to me,” Gandhi said in a post on X. (PTI)
