New Delhi: It was on August 7, 2023 that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was 91 then, made a surprise appearance in the Rajya Sabha in a wheelchair. The Upper House was buzzing with debate on the contentious Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023. Even though his health appeared frail and weak, Singh’s appearance was a strong statement about his steadfast dedication to the democratic process.
The bill aimed to give the central government more control over Delhi’s administration, including the power to set rules for the roles, terms, and working conditions of officers and employees.
As the Congress party recognised the importance of the vote, it issued a strong three-line whip, calling for its MPs to be present in full strength. It instructed members to “remain in the House from 11:00 am until adjournment” and to “support the party’s position”.
The former Prime Minister’s unwavering dedication came into play and got widespread applause and acknowledgement.
It was after a couple of days after Manmohan Singh’s appearance, during the farewell session for retiring Rajya Sabha members, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lavished praise on Singh’s contributions and deep sense of duty. Marking the moment, PM Modi said, “I remember during the voting in the other House, it was evident that the treasury bench would win, but Dr Manmohan Singh came in his wheelchair to cast his vote. This is a true example of a member dedicated to his duties.”
जब व्हीलचेयर पर 90 साल की उम्र में “Manmohan Singh” जी राज्यसभा आए तो PM मोदी जी ने भी उन्हें भरपूर सम्मान दिया ❤️🙏
मनमोहन सिंह वो नेता है जो ग़ैर गांधी परिवार से आकर भी कांग्रेस से देश की सत्ता के शीर्ष तक पहुचे, और देश के लिए काम किया।
— Prof. Sudhanshu (@Sudanshutrivedi) December 26, 2024
Singh passed away at Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on the night of December 26, at the age of 92 leaving behind a legacy that put India on the path of economic transformation. During his tenure as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, several transformative initiatives were implemented, including the Right to Information (RTI), the Right to Education (RTE), and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA).
