New Delhi: Former Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh is no more in this world. His economic reforms and his contribution to the development of the country will always be remembered. He is especially credited for the economic reforms that took place in the country during the government of PV Narasimha Rao. Dr. Singh had a deep grasp of economics, but there was another unique aspect of his personality—his deep love for poetry.

Hobby of poetry: Manmohan Singh’s unique style

Dr. Manmohan Singh may have earned recognition for his simplicity and reticence, but when he spoke, every word had a deep meaning. Poetry was often heard during his speeches and debates in Parliament. His poetry gave a new dimension to the dialogue between the ruling party and the opposition.

Jugalbandi with poetry and Sushma Swaraj in Parliament

There was a dialogue between Manmohan Singh and veteran BJP leader Sushma Swaraj through poetry several times in Parliament.

  • 15th Lok Sabha:
    • Dr. Singh was the Prime Minister and Sushma Swaraj was the leader of the opposition.
    • The use of poetry added a new color to even the serious debates in Parliament.
    • This jugalbandi of the two leaders was very much liked by all the MPs and spectators present in the House.

Wikileaks controversy of 2011 and poetry

In March 2011, there was a vigorous debate on the issue of WikiLeaks in Parliament.

  • Congress was accused of bribing MPs during the 2008 trust vote.
  • Sushma Swaraj targets Dr Singh while reciting Shahab Jafri’s couplet:
    “Don’t talk about this and that, tell me why the convoy was looted.
    We don’t hold grudges against our neighbors, it’s a question of yours.”
  • In response, Dr. Manmohan Singh replied with the lines of Allama Iqbal:
    “I agree that I am not worthy of your sister.
    You see my hobby, see my wait.”

Discussion on the President’s address of 2013

Even during the discussion on the President’s address in 2013, poetry was exchanged between Dr. Singh and Sushma Swaraj.

  • Dr. Singh read Mirza Ghalib’s couplet:
    “We expect loyalty from them,
    Those who do not know what loyalty is.”
  • Sushma Swaraj recited Bashir Badr’s couplet:
    “There must have been some compulsions,
    No one becomes unfaithful just like that.”
    Along with this he also read another couplet:
    “You don’t remember Wafa, we don’t remember Jaffa.
    There are only two songs of life and death,
    One you don’t remember, one we don’t remember.”

Unwavering respect for Sushma Swaraj and Dr. Singh

Sushma Swaraj died in 2019.

  • Dr. Manmohan Singh described him as a great parliamentarian and a talented Union Minister.
  • The memories of his jugalbandhi and dialogue in Parliament will remain indelible.

Death of Dr. Manmohan Singh: End of an era

Dr. Singh died on Thursday at the age of 91.

  • India lost a leader who laid the foundation of economic reforms with his policies.
  • Also, he created a new definition of leadership with his simplicity and love for poetry.

Rahul Dev

Cricket Jounralist at Newsdesk

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