NEW DELHI: Government offices in India lowered the national flag on Friday for a week of mourning for former prime minister Manmohan Singh, whose economic reforms helped transform the country into one of the world\u2019s fastest-growing economies.<\/p>\n
The first Sikh to lead the nation, Singh served a rare two terms as prime minister from 2004 to 2014. He died on Thursday at the age of 92.<\/p>\n
The government declared a period of mourning until Jan. 1.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring this period the national flag will be flown at half-mast throughout India where it is regularly flown and there will be no official entertainment during the period of state mourning,\u201d the Ministry of Home Affairs said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has also been decided that the state funeral will be accorded to late Dr. Manmohan Singh.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Singh, saying the former leader would be remembered as a \u201ckind-hearted individual, a scholarly economist,\u201d and a leader dedicated to reforms.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe steered the country out of a financial crisis and paved the way for a new economic direction,\u201d Modi said in a video message.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis contributions as the prime minister toward the country\u2019s development and progress will always be cherished.\u201d<\/p>\n
Singh was born in Gah, now in Pakistan, but his family migrated to India during the partition of the subcontinent in 1947.<\/p>\n
He completed his economics degree at the University of Cambridge and earned a doctorate at Oxford with a thesis on the role of exports in India\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n
After teaching economics at the University of Punjab, he went to work for the UN Conference on Trade and Development, and later served as economic adviser to the Indian government until he was appointed to head India\u2019s central bank in 1982, and served finance minister from 1991 to 1996.<\/p>\n
In the early 1990s, India faced a deep economic crisis, and Singh played a pivotal role in transitioning the country from a closed economy to a more open, liberalized system. This shift set India on a path of sustained growth for decades.<\/p>\n
It was also during his term that India signed a landmark civil nuclear deal with the US, despite not being a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The deal granted India access to advanced American nuclear technology.<\/p>\n
\u201cManmohan Singh will be remembered for initiating economic reforms and aligning the country with the West. The foreign policy crafted during that phase has been pursued vigorously by Narendra Modi,\u201d Sanjay Kapoor, analyst and political editor, told Arab News.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmong his major achievements are the raising millions of those living below the poverty line and strengthening democratic institutions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Singh was asked to take on the prime minister\u2019s job by Sonia Gandhi, who had led the center-left Congress party to a surprise victory in 2004.<\/p>\n
\u201cManmohan Singh Ji led India with immense wisdom and integrity. His humility and deep understanding of economics inspired the nation,\u201d Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the utmost pride.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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