Leaders, fans greet former PM Manmohan Singh on his 86th birthday

Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and a leading voice on the economy and governance in India. turned 86 on Wednesday, September 26. He was born in Gah, now in Pakistan, on September 26, 1932.

Manmohan Singh, who was India’s first Sikh Prime Minister, was also the first PM since Jawaharlal Nehru to be re-elected after completing a full five-year term. Singh's political career began in 1991 when he was appointed as the country's Finance Minister under the leadership of late prime minister PV Narasimha Rao. It was the same watershed year during which he helped usher in liberalisation and privatisation of the Indian economy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Rahul Gandhi and other leaders greeted the widely respected Congress leader on his birthday.

Rahul Gandhi praised former Dr Manmohan Singh’s selfless service and his contribution to nation building. "Manmohan Singh ji's birthday is an opportunity for us to appreciate and remember his many years of selfless service and dedication to the cause of nation building. I wish him a very happy birthday and good health and happiness always," Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted his predecessor and prayed for his long life. "Greetings to our former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh ji on his birthday. I pray for Dr Singh's long life and good health," PM Modi tweeted.

Union Home minister Rajnath Singh’s tweet read, “Birthday greetings and good wishes to former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh ji. May he be blessed with good health and long life.”

“ Today we celebrate one of the finest minds of the 21st century. Dr. Manmohan Singh has served our country in a multitude of ways but his greatest contribution will always be his humility, his patriotism and his dedication to development for all,” tweeted the Congress party.

National president of Janata Dal (Secular) and another former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda told Dr Manmohan Singh his guidance is of “great importance to this nation”.

Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar Janata Dal paid rich tributes to Dr Singh on his birthday, saying "He is a finest person who served the country as a bureaucrat as well as politician but remained clean throughout, is a lesson for our countrymen.”

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted, “Wishing Former PM, Dr. Manmohan Singh a happy birthday, good health & a long life. May you continue to be the guiding light for Indian National Congress and the entire Nation. Entire country will always remember your resilience & dignity as also the indelible commitment to the service of people. “

Congratulating Dr Manmohan Singh, Rajasthan Congress President Sachin Pilot said “Under your Prime Ministership, India achieved the highest and most inclusive economic growth.”

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said, “May God bless this great icon of the nation with health and happiness always, and with many more years of inspiration for all of us”.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted, “ Birthday greetings to former Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh Ji.”

Congratulating former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, DMK President MK Stalin said, “His work in nurturing a strong, growth oriented economy in difficult times speaks volumes of his vision and governance that has earned him a place of pride in India's history.”

While greeting the former PM on his birthday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who once led protests in which posters of Dr Manmohan Singh were garlanded with slippers, referred him as a “man of integrity, sobriety and humble nature.”

Cricketers and fans also joined in on congratulating the former PM on his birthday.

Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar tweeted, “Many happy returns of the day, Manmohan Singh ji. Wishing you happiness and good health always.”

Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh greeted Manmohan Singh and said, “A very pleasant man, who proved that action speaks louder than words.”