Late Dr. Manmohan Singh's tenure lasted for 10 years, from 2004 to 2014. Yet, despite his undeniable credentials and transformative role in shaping modern India's economic destiny, his tenure is often shadowed by misconceptions and oversimplified narratives.

Dr. Singh was a highly respected economist, recognized by top universities like Oxford and Cambridge. However, his most important achievement came in 1991, when he was India's Finance Minister. He introduced economic reforms like MGNREGA that opened up India's economy and helped it grow on the global stage and made India gain its GDP to 7.7% which was incredible.

Many people criticized Dr. Manmohan Singh for being too quiet. In a time when loud and bold speeches were common, his calm and reserved nature stood out. But was his silence a weakness or a smart strategy? Supporters believe his quiet approach helped him manage India’s complicated coalition politics skilfully. By staying away from unnecessary drama, Singh ensured stable governance in a diverse and challenging democracy.

Moreover, he played a pivotal role in landmark decisions, such as the 2008 Indo-US nuclear deal, which redefined India’s global positioning. His ability to push through this controversial agreement, despite stiff opposition from within his own coalition, demonstrated his strategic acumen and commitment to India's long-term interests.

Dr. Manmohan Singh's time as Prime Minister cannot be discussed without mentioning the controversies of his second term. The UPA-II government faced major corruption scandals, including the Commonwealth Games and the 2G spectrum case. These scandals damaged the government’s image. Critics often blamed Singh for not taking strong action against those responsible, which hurt his reputation and overshadowed his achievements.

Singh's tenure coincided with a global shift in political expectations. Leaders like Barack Obama and Narendra Modi thrived on charisma and personal connect, while Singh’s intellectual, almost professorial approach seemed antiquated to many. The narrative of Singh as a "puppet" controlled by Sonia Gandhi also overshadowed his achievements, even though several insiders have since revealed his pivotal role in shaping key policies.

In contrast, Nobel laureate Amartya Sen once remarked that Singh had an unparalleled grasp of India’s economic and social complexities.

In a world uproaring for loud voices, perhaps Singh's quiet wisdom was his greatest asset. As the dust settles on the era of his leadership, the question isn't whether he was misunderstood—it’s whether India missed an opportunity to truly appreciate one of its most qualified and conscientious leaders.

Manmohan Singh once famously said, "History will be kinder to me than the contemporary media."