One of the downsides of growing old with the times is that one finds few people to look up to, someone who evokes genuine respect from all people. One often turns to historical figures for inspiration as the contemporary world rarely inspires.

Dr. Manmohan Singh, however, was an exception in the times we live in. He spent a lifetime in public office, yet remained dignified, humble, honest and inspiring as a polticician, acclaimed economist and later as the ‘father’ of India’s economic reforms story that had made it a global powerhouse today.

His passing away is also a quiet reminder that one can attain the heights of public office as PM without succumbing to the twin perils of pride and populism.

Consider the current political class in India that is high on vitriol and are driven by idealogy. Public slug-fests are common and there seems to be no lower depths to which the slanging matches can plumb.

Parliamentary debates are lacking in gravitas and economic arguments are along party or ideological lines. Truly good men and women trying to do the right thing have all but faded from the public space.

Dr. Singh’s life and his rise to the highest political office is then a lesson in grit, meritocracy and, above all dignity and humility. Not often does one sit down to write about a man who spent decades in politics and is yet remembered for his simplicity and hard work. It is also credit to the man that he came from a non-dynastic background in a country where families rule as some kind of a divine right.

Born in a small village in Pakistan Punjab, he moved to India post Partition. He studied at Panjab University and later won scholarships to attend both Cambridge, where he obtained a first in economics, and at Oxford, where he completed his doctorate. The former PM also held various postions with global agencies including the United Nations.

He served as Governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and in 1991 as Finance Minister gave the country a budget that opened India to reforms and liberalization.

The landmark Indo-US Civil Nuclear Deal that he fought for changed the parameters of India’s foreign policy. While his second term as PM was marred by scandals, no one ever questioned his personal integrity.

A State funeral marks his final journey. Messages of condolences are pouring in from many world leaders. From former US President Barack Obama to the King of Bhutan, the world has come together to pay rich tributes to that rarest of men – a ‘gentleman politician’.

The world will carry on and the politics of the day will continue its shrill journey. But India should and must remember and celebrate the life of a good, decent man who in his quiet manner brought in some remarkable and discernable changes for the masses.

His life is also an inspiration to many of us, and for the generations to come after us. In a world increasingly marred by wrongs, it is possible to remain steadfast to one’s ideals and also be successful in top positions as Dr. Singh had shown.

It is no wonder that Dr Singh is being celebrated across the county today. He will be always be remembered for reforming India’s economy and opening it the world.

The country needs more leaders like him who govern through ideas and ideals while striving to become leaders for all Indians. – Simran Sodhi is Executive Editor of nrifocus.com