"History Will Be Kinder": Manmohan Singh's Final Words as PM Resurface"

New Delhi: Dr. Manmohan Singh's Final Press Conference Remarks Resurface After His Passing

In his last press conference as Prime Minister on January 3, 2014, Dr. Manmohan Singh made a statement that has resurfaced numerous times on social media in the years since. When NDTV’s Sunil Prabhu asked about his inability to control his ministers and his reluctance to act in certain situations, Dr. Singh responded with a calm smile, saying, “I honestly believe history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media or, for that matter, the Opposition parties in Parliament.”  

He continued, “I cannot divulge all that transpires in the Cabinet system of government. Given the circumstances and the pressures of a coalition polity, I have done the best I could under the conditions at hand.”

At the time, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA)-II government was grappling with serious corruption allegations involving several ministries. These scandals played a significant role in the Congress' defeat in the 2014 general elections, which saw the rise of Narendra Modi and the BJP to power.

Dr. Singh, 92, passed away on Thursday after battling health issues for some time. The AIIMS hospital issued a statement confirming that he had been receiving treatment for age-related ailments. His condition deteriorated at home, and despite efforts to revive him at AIIMS, he was declared dead at 9:51 PM.

Before becoming Prime Minister, Dr. Singh served as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India and played a key role in India's economic reforms as Finance Minister under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and other prominent leaders visited Dr. Singh’s residence to pay their respects and offer condolences to his family.  

PM Modi expressed deep sorrow and praised Dr. Singh’s immense contribution to the nation’s progress, stating, “Dr. Manmohan Singh’s vision and integrity as a leader will forever remain etched in India’s history.”  

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid his respects, calling Dr. Singh a statesman and distinguished economist who played a pivotal role in shaping India’s modern economic policies.

In honor of Dr. Singh’s legacy, the Central government announced a seven-day national mourning period, lasting until January 1, 2025. A notification from the Ministry of Home Affairs directed all states and Union Territories to lower the national flag to half-mast during this period and cancel all official entertainment events.