Singh, whose second tenure between 2009 and 2014 saw the government battling various corruption scandals, insisted, “As I have said on many occasions, my life and tenure in public office are an open book. I have always tried to do my best in serving this great nation of ours.”
He added “In the last ten years, we as a country have seen many successes and achievements that we should be proud of. Today, India is a far stronger country in every respect than it was a decade ago. I give credit for these successes to all of you. However, there is still vast latent development potential in our country and we must collectively work hard to realize it.”
Asserting that he is confident about the future of India, the outgoing Prime Minister said, “I firmly believe that the emergence of India as a major powerhouse of the evolving global economy is an idea whose time has come. Blending tradition with modernity and unity with diversity, this nation of ours can show the way forward to the world.” Noting that serving this nation has been his privilege and there is nothing more that he could ask for, he said, “ “I wish the incoming government every success as it embarks on its task and pray for even greater successes for our nation.
When Singh met Mukherjee to submit resignation and recommendation for dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha, the two exchanged bouquets.
After their brief meeting, Mukherjee, who had worked in Singh's Cabinet as Finance, Defence and External Affairs Minister, showed the courtesy of coming to the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan to see off the Prime Minister. They shook hands for sometime and were seen in an intimate conversation. Singh then also took leave of the Rashtrapati Bhavan officials, including the President's Secretary Omita Paul.
Born on September 26, 1932 in Gah village of Pakistan's Punjab province, Singh held several key positions like Economic Adviser to the government and Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission before being catapulted to the position of the Prime Minister in 2004.
A celebrated economist, Singh had entered politics at the height of the 1991 economic crisis when late Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao inducted him into the government as Finance Minister.
His role, along with Rao, in lifting the economy out of the balance of payments crisis and bringing about economic reforms has been one of the main highlights of his career.
