Following the passing of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, several stories highlighting his humble nature and dedication to his duties have come to light. Known for his calm demeanor and reserved speech, Dr. Singh’s colleagues have shared numerous accounts demonstrating his deep concern for the common man and his unwavering commitment to his responsibilities.
One such story was shared by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Aseem Arun. On social media platform X, Aseem Arun recounted an incident related to Dr. Singh’s personal vehicle, a Maruti 800, which illustrated his sincerity and honesty toward his duties. Aseem Arun wrote, “I served as Dr. Singh’s bodyguard from 2004 for almost three years. The SPG, the Prime Minister’s security organization, comprises the most inner circle - the Close Protection Team, which I had the privilege to lead. I was responsible for being with him like his shadow.” He continued, “Dr. Singh only had one car – a Maruti 800, which always stood behind the gleaming black BMW at the PM’s residence. Dr. Singh would often tell me, ‘Aseem, I don’t like to travel in this car; my car is this one (Maruti).’ I would explain to him, this car wasn’t for his luxury but for its security features, which is why the SPG had chosen it. Whenever the carcade would pass the Maruti, he would always glance at it with fondness, affirming to himself, ‘I am a middle-class person, and it’s my duty to care for the common man.’ The BMW was for the PM, but for me, this Maruti is mine.’”
Dr. Singh, who passed away at age 92 on Thursday night at Delhi’s AIIMS, has had his mortal remains placed at his residence on Motilal Nehru Road. The public will have the opportunity to pay their respects to him today. The Government of India has announced seven days of national mourning following his passing, and his last rites will be conducted with full state honors.
Aseem Arun, who is also the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Social Welfare, scheduled castes, and tribal welfare in Uttar Pradesh, shared another poignant memory. “Dr Sahab would repeatedly tell me, ‘Aseem, I do not like to travel in this car (BMW); my car is this one (Maruti),’” Arun wrote, emphasizing the leader’s deep connection to his middle-class roots. He recounted how Dr. Singh would often gaze at the Maruti 800 parked near the Prime Minister’s residence as if asserting his identity as a common man dedicated to serving the public.
“I would explain to him, ‘Sir, this car is not for your luxury; its security features are such it has been designated by the SPG.’ But whenever the convoy would pass the Maruti, he would always look at it with contentment, almost repeating a resolution: ‘I am a middle-class person, and it is my job to worry about the common man.’ He would say, ‘The car worth crores belongs to the PM; my car is this Maruti,” Arun noted.
This touching anecdote shared by Arun has struck a chord with many, highlighting the unassuming nature of the man who led India from 2004 to 2014 during a transformative period. Dr. Singh, renowned as the architect of India’s 1991 economic reforms, passed away on Thursday after being admitted to AIIMS due to deteriorated health. His significant contributions as Finance Minister and Prime Minister have left indelible marks, modernizing India’s economy and opening it to the global market.
According to the AIIMS bulletin, Dr. Singh was treated for age-related medical conditions and experienced a sudden loss of consciousness at home on December 26. Despite resuscitative measures taken immediately, he could not be revived and was declared dead later. Arun’s tweet serves as not just a tribute but also as lasting evidence of Dr. Singh’s simplicity, intellect, and dedication to his fellow citizens, whose experiences and memories of him will echo throughout the nation.
Through the fond recollections surrounding his Maruti 800, Dr. Singh’s legacy of humility and commitment continues to inspire generations, symbolizing his role as not just the Prime Minister but also, fundamentally, as someone deeply tied to the life of ordinary citizens.
