Heartbreaking Farewells In 2024!

The year 2024 turned out to be a profound loss for India as the period saw the departure of many tall personalities, who left behind lasting imprints in the minds of millions.

- KRISHNA KUMAR K E

From Dr Manmohan Singh to Ratan Tata to M T Vasudevan Nair, the huge void they left behind in their respective fields is difficult to fill. TNIE lists out some of the famous personalities who bid heartbreaking farewells in 2024.

Dr Manmohan Singh The last prominent figure to bid adieu during the passing year was former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the architect of India's economic reforms. A state mourning has been declared for seven days till January 1, 2025, to pay homage to Singh who passed away due to age-related illness on December 26 at the age of 92.

Known as a soft-spoken technocrat, Singh was the first Prime Minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to return to power. Dr Singh became the Prime Minister of India on May 22, 2004. He served as Prime Minister for a second back-to-back term from May 2009 to 2014. He had been the Union Finance Minister in the P V Narasimha Rao Ministry from 1991 to 1996. His role in ushering in a comprehensive policy of economic reforms, including liberalisation of the Indian economy, is widely recognised.

As Prime Minister, Singh took several far-reaching decisions that continue to have a positive impact on the Indian economy and the country's democracy. The most glittering among them is the Right to Seek Information (RTI) Act, a rural employment scheme guaranteeing livelihood for a minimum of 100 days, a law that guarantees the right to free and compulsory education for children between the ages of 6 and 14. His government also introduced a unique identity project called Aadhaar to improve financial inclusion and delivery of welfare benefits to the poor.

He had served in several prestigious positions during his glittering career, including as the Governor of Reserve Bank of India (September 1982 to January 1985), and the Finance Secretary (November 1976 to April 1980).

In his passing, the nation has lost an eminent statesman, a renowned economist and distinguished leader.