'India is in for better days'

With Dr Manmohan Singh as prime minister, I feel grateful to be an Indian citizen.

I met Dr Singh in 1994 when, as an ICFAI (Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India) representative, I went to invite him as chief guest for our annual function.

Dr Singh was not at home.

Mrs Singh invited me inside and seated me in his study. She brought me a glass of water and a cup of tea she had brewed herself.

They did not have any servants!

After about 20 minutes, Dr Singh walked in. We talked for an hour on debt and other economic issues. We even discussed my plans for the future.

After meeting Dr Singh, I realised living simply and respecting everyone always pays dividends.

India will achieve new heights and gain new respect across the world because of leaders like Dr Singh, President A P J Abdul Kalam and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

In the next general election, our target should be to throw out people like Laloo Prasad Yadav and make both politics and our Parliament once again worthy of respect.

I am only concerned about how Dr Singh will handle the unwanted goons in his Cabinet. They will definitely create a problem for him. Also, Sonia Gandhi will make him dance to her tune.

Dr Gaurav Pradhan
SAP Practice
Hewlett Packard GDIC
Bangalore

Dr Singh's real test

In the last three to four years, Shri Bal Vijay (a disciple of Archarya Vinobha Bhave) and I have met Dr Manmohan Singh around four times. The meetings related to matters of a trust. 

Besides being an intellectual, he is soft-spoken and a thorough gentleman. India is lucky to have him as prime minister. He faces his real test now -- of running a show that is riddled with corruption.

But God has bestowed on him powerful traits like honesty and sincerity. I am sure Dr Singh will tackle every issue that comes before him with his trademark vision and wisdom and fill India's future with pride and honour.

Chander Shekher Batra
President
Khadi Gramodyog Bhavan
Delhi

A large heart

I met Dr Manmohan Singh in 1997.

I was visiting my great uncle, Congress leader Raghubir Singh Panjhazari, when I fell ill. He took me to a doctor in the Parliament annexe.

The moment we entered the doctor's room -- we did not have an appointment -- Dr Singh, who had an appointment, entered as well. But he kindly asked the doctor to examine me first.

I was excited by this chance encounter with India's ex-finance minister and floored by his humility. He was wearing a simple khadi kurta that had frayed with age.

I wish him all the best. India is in for better days.

Harjot Singh Mangat
Leeds Business School
UK

A proud moment

When I heard Dr Manmohan Singh was going to become our prime minister, my happiness knew no bounds. It is a proud moment for every Indian to have a great economist like him lead the country.

The other proud moment, for me as an individual, came when he honoured us as chief guest at our CFA/PGDBA Convocation in December, 1999, at ICFAI Hyderabad. It was indeed a pleasure to see such a great yet simple man at close quarters. We had a wonderful evening, the highlight of which was a memorable lecture by Dr Singh.

As Indian citizens, our dreams are finally turning into reality.

We have simple and honest people as our president and prime minister and a host of highly educated young MPs taking on the reins of government. This is the beginning of India's evolution as a great economic power.

I wish Dr Singh all the very best. I am sure every Indian is praying he will have a successful five-year tenure, and more to come...

R Shripriya
ICFAI, Chennai batch, 1999

ALSO IN THIS SERIES
'A humble Indian has achieved the highest office'
Dr Singh's track record
A class act
'Dr Singh is too good for today's corrupt world'
A thorough gentleman
Saving the taxpayer's money
Dr Singh's autograph
'I have to give something back to society'
Dr Singh: Upright and conservative

Photograph: Deepak Salvi
Image: Uday Kuckian