Mumbai: Born 26 September 1932, Manmohan Singh is an Indian economist and politician who served as the Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014. The first Sikh in office, Singh was also the first prime minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to be re-elected after completing a full five-year term.
On his birthday let us know some unknown facts about him.
There are many such things related to Singh’s life, but one thing, which always goes with him, is the respect he commands. US President Barack Obama even broke the White House protocol for Singh. His image has been that of an economist-politician, who despite reluctance remained in controversy.
Shy by nature, Singh was always fond of working quietly. His only hobby is reading.
When Singh was teaching in a college in Chandigarh, he was once invited by his neighbour Mulk Raj Anand, (famous English writer) to introduce him to independent India’s first PM Jawaharlal Nehru. Anand was actually impressed by his talent.
This was an opportunity for Singh to enter politics, but he declined the offer as he was happy pursuing teaching and reading.
Singh is one of the lucky people who had worked with the famous economist R. Pribic. During UN Conference on Trade and Development, Pribic offered Singh to become a professor in Delhi, which he readily accepted.
Singh was quite an introvert while studying at Cambridge University. He always bathed with cold water and this is also the secret of his long hair.
Very few people know that Singh had joined RBI before he became the Governor. He got associated with the RBI in 1976, while in 1982 he was made Governor.
While living in the village, where power was down, he used to study in kerosene lamps. He used to travel miles daily on his feet to school.
During his teaching days in Delhi, Singh’s class was attended by hundreds of students and there used to be pin drop silence during the lecture.
Singh is known to be close to former US President George Bush. At times, Bush used to consult with Singh to get over the recession.
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PNN/Agencies