Thread by @SaketGokhale

Personal story of witnessing Dr. Manmohan Singh’s magic & charm:

It was the year 2010. I worked out of Singapore for the Financial Times and I decided to fly down to Kuala Lumpur along with a friend for the weekend.

(1/11)

Getting out of the airport and into the taxi, we were greeted by a strange sight.

The entire street was decked up with Indian flags.

For a second, we wondered if we’d gotten off the plane into the wrong country.

(2/11)

Later, a taxi driver said that this welcome had been planned for the visit of Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. Coincidentally he was landing in the country the same day.

(3/11)

Wherever one went in KL, there was a huge buzz around his visit.

Brickfields, the Indian neighborhood, had been decorated in the tricolor. Dr. Singh visited “Little India” and interacted with the community.

It was all substance without any singing dancing tamasha.

(4/11)

Dr Singh spoke of how overseas Indians could participate in the growth of their India in his speech.

A stark contrast with Modi whose speeches revolve mostly around “how awesome I am” and how “everyone is now proud to be an Indian thanks to me”.

(5/11)

Dr. Singh’s interaction was positive and the object of adoration was the country rather than his own personality cult.

There were no paid crowds brought to cheer him.

And during this visit, a lot of business got done.

(6/11)

The launch of low-cost carrier Air Asia in India happened in the run-up to this visit.

Dr. Singh signed over 16 comprehensive agreements on trade and other issues with Malaysia without any drama or chest-thumping during his visit.

(7/11)

When I left the airport a week later, I felt a very proud of being an Indian.

The customs guys were extra friendly on seeing my blue (not saffron) passport. Without any drama or hugging and sans any megalomania, my Prime Minister made me feel proud.

(8/11)

That week was about India. It wasn’t about Dr. Manmohan Singh’s personality cult.

It was dignity and pride that cannot be bought through TV advertisements, grand shows, and expensive PR.

He didn’t need to wear suits with his name monogrammed on them.

(9/11)

Dr. Singh didn’t promote Gujarat, Punjab, or any other individual state.

For he was the PM of India. His knowledge and experience spoke for itself.

The advice of a simple man in a blue turban was greatly sought after by world leaders. It was pure substance.

(10/11)

History will always judge Dr. Manmohan Singh as one of the greatest PMs we had. His grace, his intelligence, and his humility are severely missed in the PMO today.

Thanks for your service to the nation sir. You’re the best we could’ve had.

#HappyBirthdayDrSingh

(11/11)