Manmohan Singh’s Patriotism Highlighted by Remarkable Post-Surgery Moment
Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, hailed as a reformer of India’s economy and a two-time leader of the nation, passed away on Thursday night.
Following his demise, several fascinating aspects of his unwavering dedication to the country have come to light.
Dr. Ramakant Panda, a senior cardiac surgeon at AIIMS Delhi, shared an incident highlighting Manmohan Singh’s commitment to the nation.
He revealed what Singh first said after undergoing heart surgery in 2009 during his tenure as Prime Minister.
Dr. Panda stated that Manmohan Singh underwent a complex coronary bypass surgery that lasted about 11 hours. After the procedure, when the breathing tube was removed later that night, Singh’s first words were, “How is the country?” This was immediately followed by, “How is Kashmir?”
Expressing surprise, Dr. Panda remarked, “It was astonishing that his first concern wasn’t about his health but the nation’s well-being.” When asked why he did not inquire about his surgery, Singh reportedly replied, “I know you’ve done your job well. I’m not worried about the surgery. I’m more concerned about my country.”
Dr. Panda described Singh as a remarkable humanitarian, a humble individual, and a great patriot. From a medical perspective, he noted that Singh was an exemplary patient. “Typically, patients after such surgeries complain about chest pain or other issues, but Dr. Singh did not mention any such discomfort,” Panda said.
He further described Singh as a strong individual and noted his modesty during hospital visits. “Every time he came to the hospital, we would go to the gate to welcome him. He would insist that we shouldn’t do so,” Dr. Panda shared, emphasizing Singh’s integrity and unchanging resolve.