Manmohan Singh's Brief Pursuit of Medicine Before Embracing Economics, Revealed by Daughter Daman

Manmohan Singh, a former Indian Prime Minister, passed away at 92 after suddenly losing consciousness at home. His daughter, Daman Singh, shared insights into his life in her book "Strictly Personal: Manmohan and Gursharan." Initially, Singh pursued a pre-medical course to fulfil his father's wishes but soon lost interest. He then turned to economics, a subject that captivated him.

Early Academic Journey

In April 1948, Singh enrolled in Khalsa College, Amritsar, for a two-year FSc course aimed at medical studies. However, he dropped out within months due to disinterest in science. Reflecting on this period, Singh mentioned joining his father's shop but felt undervalued there. This led him to return to academia at Hindu College in September 1948.

Economics intrigued Singh as it addressed poverty and wealth disparities among nations. He expressed this interest to his daughter, stating that economics posed questions about why some countries are poor while others are rich. This curiosity guided his academic pursuits.

Challenges at Cambridge

While studying at Cambridge University, financial constraints were a significant concern for Singh. His annual expenses totalled around 600 pounds, but the Panjab University scholarship covered only 160 pounds. He relied on his father for the remaining amount and lived frugally to manage costs.

Singh avoided dining out and rarely indulged in alcohol. Subsidised meals cost two shillings sixpence, which helped him save money. However, delays in funds from home forced him to skip meals or survive on a sixpence Cadbury's chocolate bar. He even borrowed 25 pounds from a friend but received only 3 pounds.

Personal Traits and Humour

Daman described her father as having a good sense of humour despite being helpless with household tasks like boiling an egg or operating the television. His lighter side emerged with friends, where he enjoyed joking and giving nicknames. For instance, he called one uncle John Babu and another Jewel Babu.

Singh's humour extended to family members too. His wife was affectionately named Gurudev, while his children were Kick, Little Noan, and Little Ram. Some nicknames were less flattering but reflected his playful nature.

Singh's story highlights his journey from aspiring doctor to economist and the challenges he faced along the way. His humour and resilience left a lasting impression on those around him.