Sonia Gandhi and Dr. Manmohan Manmohan Singh.
New Delhi: Congress Parliamentary Party leader Sonia Gandhi on Friday termed the demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as a big personal loss for her. He said he was a ‘friend, philosopher and guide’ to him. Sonia Gandhi also said that the people of the Congress Party and the people of India will always be proud and grateful that Manmohan Singh was a leader whose contribution to India’s progress and development is incomparable. Let us tell you that Manmohan Singh died on Thursday night at the age of 92.
‘Was a symbol of knowledge, nobility and humility’
During the years 2004 to 2014, when Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister, Sonia Gandhi was the head of Congress and UPA. In her condolence message, Sonia Gandhi said, ‘With the demise of Dr. Manmohan Singh, we have lost a leader who was an epitome of wisdom, nobility and humility, who served our country with all his heart and mind. He was a guiding light for the Congress Party. His compassion and vision transformed and empowered the lives of millions of Indian citizens. He said that he was greatly loved by the people of India because of his pure heart and excellent mind.
‘He was very gentle in his behavior’
Sonia said, ‘Manmohan Singh’s counsel, wise advice and ideas were eagerly sought and deeply valued in the political arena of our country. He was respected and admired by leaders and scholars around the world, hailed as a statesman of immense knowledge and stature.’ Sonia said Manmohan Singh brought brilliance and distinction to every high post he held and he brought glory and honor to India. The former Congress president said, ‘For me, the demise of Dr. Manmohan Singh is a big personal loss. He was my friend, philosopher and guide. He was very gentle in his manners, but very firm in his deep convictions.’
‘Incomparable contribution to India’s progress’
Sonia said his commitment to social justice, secularism and democratic values was deep and unwavering. Sonia Gandhi said, ‘To spend any time with him was to be enlightened by his wisdom and foresight, impressed by his honesty and integrity, and amazed by his genuine humility. He has left a void in our national life which can never be filled. The people of the Congress Party and the people of India will always be proud and grateful that we had a leader like Dr. Manmohan Singh, whose contribution to India’s progress and development is incomparable. (with inputs from language)
