Manmohan Singh: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh passed away on the night of 26 December 2024 at the age of 92 in Delhi AIIMS. Today we will know a very interesting story related to him, economist turned politician Manmohan Singh was once on the path of becoming a doctor, but he listened to his heart and left his studies midway. There was a time when his father wanted to make him a doctor, but he was not interested in this field. Somehow he enrolled in a pre-medical course, but soon he lost his interest, as told in the book ' Strictly Personal: Manmohan and Gursharan ' written by his daughter.

In the book "Strictly Personal: Manmohan and Gursharan" published in 2014, it is mentioned that he liked the subject of economics, he was a cheerful person and had a great sense of humor.

Left the profession of doctor within few months

In April 1948, Manmohan Singh was admitted to Khalsa College in Amritsar. According to the book, "Manmohan Singh's father wanted him to become a doctor, so he enrolled in a two-year FSc course, which allowed him to study medicine for further studies. He dropped out after a few months. He had lost interest in becoming a doctor. In fact, he had lost interest in studying science as well."

"I went with my father to his shop, but I didn't like it because I was not treated as an equal. I was asked to do things like fetch water and tea. Then I thought I should go back to college. And I joined Hindu College in September 1948."

Economics was a subject that attracted him (Manmohan Singh) immediately.

"Manmohan Singh was always interested in issues of poverty, why some countries are poor, why others are rich. He was interested in such questions and their answers.

While studying at Cambridge University, money was the only real problem that troubled Mr Singh. “His tuition and living expenses were about £600 a year. His Punjab University scholarship would give him about £160. He had to rely on his father for the rest.

His daughter wrote in the book that her father never ate out, and rarely drank beer or wine, but would deal with situations on his own if he ran out of money or didn't get home on time. "When that happened, he would skip meals or eat something cheap."

"When he was in a contemplative mood, he would sit with his index finger on the side of his nose.

He knew how to laugh and make others laugh

His daughter writes in the book that it was comforting to know from his friends that even though he was a great economist, it was comforting to know that he could also laugh and tell jokes. With us, he rarely did that.