Remembering Manmohan Singh: From a birthday cake on Air India One to ‘betrayal’ and the one thing he cared about when leaving PM’s residence

That was Singh, generous not only for the time being but forever.

In the nation’s capital where leaders have little patience — or the need — to worry about who’s being rubbed the wrong way, Singh was an exception. Indeed, days before G20 when many in his party mocked the “show,” in an interview to The Indian Express, Singh, gently yet firmly, underlined the significance of the moment. In the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war, he said, India has a “pivotal role” in “steering” the new world order and has “done the right thing in putting its sovereign and economic interests first while also appealing for peace.” Singh said that he was “more optimistic about India’s future than worried,” but that optimism is “contingent on India being a harmonious society.”

This natural inclination for nuance wasn’t just an expression of humility — it was the hallmark of a leadership with depth and breadth.

I remember the afternoon of May 22, 2004, when his name was announced by the Congress party for prime ministership. Security was being strengthened outside his residence but having persuaded his wife Gursharan Kaur to give The Indian Express an interview, we got some time with him.

“I will need everybody’s help for the task ahead,” he said, his hands folded. Gursharan Kaur shared some pictures from their family album. The next day, Manmohan Singh took charge of what would be two full terms of a historic and tumultuous prime ministerial tenure.

Singh suffered a health crisis in 2009, when he suddenly had to undergo a coronary bypass surgery (his second), at AIIMS. It was his eldest daughter, Upinder, who spoke to The Indian Express: “Yes, we were worried because there is a risk factor in any heart surgery. But there were mixed feelings of being worried and optimistic…”

As Prime Minister, “Dr Saheb,” as many in his office called him, was not fond of prolonged trips overseas. Except when he was on an official tour to the US, and often to address the United Nations General Assembly, he would extend his visit for a day to spend time with his daughter, Amrit, who works as an attorney in New York.

On one such trip in 2011, it happened to be September 26, the Prime Minister’s birthday, on his flight back from New York after a UNGA session.

The sugar-free cake — Singh was diabetic — for the PM was ready and loaded on Air India One but he had politely said no to any on-board celebrations. Finally, after take-off, when he walked over to the media section to greet journalists, I was asked by a member of the official delegation to try and persuade him. The Prime Minister shyly acquiesced and requested me to do the honours — slices of the Prime Minister’s birthday cake were passed around as we wished him a happy birthday.

Singh was known to have been extremely protective of his family. As they were of him. There were occasions when, in the midst of controversies, his family members would speak up for him. In 2014, when the Prime Minister’s former media advisor, Sanjaya Baru, published his book, The Accidental Prime Minister, it was his eldest daughter, Upinder Singh, who made it a point to defend her father. In a rare interview, she told this reporter: “It (the book) was a betrayal of his trust… It gives the impression that the Prime Minister wanted to cling to office in his second term. This is such a misreading of his personality.”

That was the time when the Singh family —  the Congress having lost the 2014 General Elections — were preparing to vacate the Prime Minister’s residence.

Asked about her father’s plans, Upinder Singh had said it was his collection of books that was uppermost on her father’s mind. “I do not think he is planning to write anything immediately but he is busy sorting out his books and papers. He has a huge book collection and wants each book to be taken care of in the new house.”