Media needs to be vigilant, flag govt's shortcomings: Former PM Manmohan Singh
New Delhi, Nov 8: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said media needs to remain vigilant and flag shortcomings of the government with a view to improve the effectiveness of governance.
Speaking at the TIOL Heritage Award function here, Singh asserted that India will continue to rise and show to the world the way forward by blending tradition with modernity.
He noted that an entirely new generation of Indians have emerged who are aspirational and are exerting pressure on the government to perform better and be transparent.
Singh also recalled his tenures as the finance minister and the prime minister in steering the country at difficult times.
On the role of the media in a democracy, the former prime minister said it has a very important contribution to make in the process of nation-building.
"We expect the media to be vigilant, to point out the shortcomings of the government and thus help in improving the effectiveness of governance," he said in his virtual address at the function.
He was conferred with the TIOL Fiscal Heritage Award. The award function was organised by a portal 'TaxIndiaOnline'.
According to Singh, economic growth, social change and political empowerment have brought in their wake the new aspirations of an entirely new generation of Indians.
"This has contributed to growing impatience and a desire for faster growth and a better quality of life. These aspirations and ambitions are exerting pressures on governments to deliver more, perform better, and be more transparent and efficient," he added.
Recalling his days as the finance minister, Singh said that he entered the world of politics in the midst of a crisis. In 1991, India was confronted by challenges on the external front.
"Most of you will only recall the external payments crisis of 1990-91. But this payments crisis occurred against the backdrop of an even bigger challenge -- the breakdown of the global bipolar order," he said.
As the finance minister, Singh said he had to worry not only about reducing the fiscal deficit and reviving economic growth but also about stabilising the rupee and ensuring access to adequate foreign exchange.
"At that critical time, I had said that the emergence of India as an economic powerhouse was an idea whose time had come," he said, adding that as the finance minister he defended the interest of the nation while remaining committed to the pursuit of equity and justice.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narasimha Rao, he said, "we took momentous decisions with respect to our economic policies as well as our foreign policy. Prime Minister Narasimha Rao launched what has come to be known as India's 'Look East Policy,' linking India to the new growth engines of Asia".
He said India liberalised its trade and investment rules to help the country re-integrate with the global economy.
The policies of those years had far-reaching and enduring impact, he added.
As the prime minister in 2004, Singh said, "I took on that responsibility with diligence as my tool, truth as my beacon, and a prayer that I might always do the right thing. As I have said on many occasions, my life and tenure in public office are an open book. Serving this nation has been my privilege. There is nothing more that I could ask for."
The former prime minister also said that governments come and governments go, "but this great nation of ours is heir to one of the oldest civilizations known to humanity".
Its history is marked by continuity and change, and a remarkable cultural plurality, he said, adding these are important strengths.
Speaking at the event, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said during Singh's tenure, 10 million people were lifted from poverty line.
India was catapulted as the second fastest economy in the world during his tenure, Tharoor said, adding that India had witnessed a growth rate of 7-9 per cent.
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India, Jamaica agree to boost trade, skilled mobility: Jaishankar
Kingston (PTI): India and Jamaica agreed to further strengthen trade linkages and explore cooperation for recruitment and mobility of skilled professionals, including healthcare workers and teachers, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said.
Addressing a joint press conference here after talks with his Jamaican counterpart Kamina J Smith on Monday, Jaishankar said the discussions were comprehensive, and they reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral ties, identifying new avenues to deepen the partnership.
"We signed several important agreements and discussed effective implementations of MOUs which have been recently concluded in the fields of digital transformation, cultural exchange, sports and digital payments to ensure tangible outcomes on the ground," he said.
India recognised Jamaica's growing role as a logistics hub and gateway to the Caribbean for trade and investment, Jaishankar said.
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"We agreed to further strengthen trade, business and investment linkages, explore cooperation for recruitment and mobility of skilled professionals, including nurses, healthcare workers and teachers," he said.
The two sides also discussed expanding cooperation in defence and security, healthcare, digitisation, agriculture, education and infrastructure, the minister said.
Highlighting development cooperation as a key pillar of ties, Jaishankar noted the successful completion of the Improving Rural Livelihoods Project in Kitson Town in March 2026, implemented with Indian assistance of USD 1 million under the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, benefiting over 200 individuals and impacting thousands more.
He said India is also discussing the feasibility of establishing an artisan empowerment hub in Jamaica and reiterated support for the country's recovery following Hurricane Melissa.
As part of humanitarian assistance, India has supplied relief material, deployed a medical team and is in the process of providing 30 dialysis units. It is also sending 40 fishing boats and 200 GPS units to aid recovery efforts.
The ministers reaffirmed close cooperation in multilateral fora and discussed issues such as reformed multilateralism, climate justice and priorities of the Global South.
India appreciated Jamaica’s support for its candidature for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council for 2028-29.
Both sides strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and called for early finalisation of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
Jaishankar also highlighted growing people-to-people ties, noting the popularity of yoga and Ayurveda in Jamaica and the contribution of the Indian diaspora to the country’s development.
He announced a contribution of two million Jamaican dollars towards celebrations marking 181 years of the arrival of Indians in Jamaica on India Heritage Day.
According to the website of the High Commission of India in Kingston, Jamaica has an Indian diaspora of around 70,000 people whose forefathers came mostly from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar as indentured labour between 1845 and 1917. Some also came from South India.
The diaspora constitutes around 3 per cent of Jamaica's population and continues to nurture an abiding interest in Indian culture, music, dance and history, serving as a cultural bridge between the two countries. May 10 is observed as India Heritage Day in Jamaica.
Later in the day, Jaishankar interacted with Jamaica’s industry and business leaders, underlining the need to deepen economic engagement as countries diversify partnerships globally.
“Emphasised that as we all diversify and seek reliable partners, the imperative to deepen India-Jamaica business ties is that much stronger,” he said in a social media post, noting that the potential for bilateral and regional economic cooperation should be "explored more vigorously".
He also appreciated Industry Minister Aubyn Hill for convening the interaction with business leaders.
Jaishankar arrived in Kingston on Saturday, marking the first leg of his nine-day tour of Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, aimed at further strengthening India's strategic and cultural ties with the Caribbean nations.
