Dr. Manmohan Singh: A Leader, Reformer, and Friend to Deccan College

Pune, 27th December 2024: India mourns the passing of Dr. Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister and a towering figure in modern Indian history. The nation remembers him as a scholarly statesman whose tenure as Finance Minister under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao heralded a new era of economic liberalization. These reforms laid the foundation for India’s position as a global economic powerhouse.

While his contributions to the nation’s economic and political landscape are widely recognized, Deccan College (Deemed University), Pune, holds a unique and heartfelt connection to Dr. Singh, a bond rooted in his commitment to education and heritage.

In February 2008, during his tenure as Prime Minister, Dr. Singh visited Pune to review a report on farmers’ distress in Marathwada, prepared by a committee led by Dr. Narendra Jadhav, then Chairman of the Deccan College Poona Trust. It was during his departure for Delhi that a casual inquiry by Dr. Singh transformed into a historic moment for the institution.

“Dr. Singh asked if any educational institution needed assistance from the Centre,” recalls Prof. K. Paddayya, Emeritus Professor and Former Director of the Department of Archaeology at Deccan College. “Dr. Jadhav presented the case of Deccan College, highlighting its legacy as one of the oldest institutions of higher learning and its need for financial support. Without hesitation, Dr. Singh agreed to the request, resulting in an unprecedented grant of ₹5 crore, announced by then-Finance Minister P. Chidambaram in the Union Budget of March 2008.”

This special grant, which required no formal application, was routed through the University Grants Commission (UGC) and utilized to advance significant projects at Deccan College. These included the computerization of the Sanskrit Dictionary Project’s scriptorium, construction of staff quarters, the main gate, and an overhead water tank.

“This generous grant reflected Dr. Singh’s respect for fundamental research and his belief in supporting institutions like ours,” Prof. Paddayya added.

Dr. Singh’s association with academia and heritage extended beyond financial aid. In 2011, he inaugurated the 150th-anniversary celebrations of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), where he honored senior scholars for their lifetime contributions to archaeology. Among the awardees was Prof. M.K. Dhavalikar, a former Director of Deccan College, further cementing the institution’s special bond with Dr. Singh.

As India bids farewell to this visionary leader, Deccan College joins the nation in mourning his loss. “We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and pray for his soul to rest in eternal peace,” Prof. Paddayya said, reflecting the sentiments of an institution that benefited profoundly from Dr. Singh’s vision and generosity.