Unparalleled humility, quiet dignity: Cine stars pay tributes to former PM

New Delhi, PTI: Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Chiranjeevi, Manoj Bajpayee and other film stars on Friday condoled the demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, remembering him as a “visionary” and a “great financial reformer and statesman”. Singh, the architect behind India’s economic reforms, passed away on Thursday night at Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at the age of 92. He served as the prime minister from 2004 to 2014.

As the nation’s finance minister in 1991, he played a pivotal role in shaping India’s economic framework, earning widespread recognition in global financial and economic circles. In a post on X, actor-politician Haasan said the nation has lost “one of its finest sons”. “India has lost one of its most eminent statesmen and scholars. The passing of Dr. Manmohan Singh marks the end of an era in Indian polity. A man of quiet dignity, he reshaped the nation through his visionary economic and social policies.

“Few have influenced the nation’s trajectory with such far-reaching impact. His policies, both as Finance Minister and Prime Minister, empowered millions, strengthening the fabric of Indian democracy and uplifting the most vulnerable,” Haasan posted. Rajinikanth was asked about Singh’s demise at the Chennai airport and he said, “He was a great human being.

Great financial reformer and statesman.” Chiranjeevi said he is anguished by the passing away of Singh, who was a “highly educated, most graceful, soft spoken and humble leader”. “His visionary and game changing contributions as the finance minister and then his highly successful tenure as the 13th Prime Minister of India for two successive terms will remain etched in history,” he said.