Manmohan Singh, India’s first Sikh prime minister, 92, breathed his last on Thursday. However, the frontman of reforms will remain immortal in memory, for his transformative leadership, serene presence and the iconic blue turban.
Along the lines of Winston Churchill’s bow tie and Mahatma Gandhi’s Windsor glasses, the blue turban, a signature accessory synonymous with his identity, resounds deep personal and symbolic meaning. Worn by the architect of India’s economic liberalisation, the turban transcends the definition of an accessory, becoming a tribute to his inspiring journey, values and legacy.
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Singh unravelled the mystery behind the blue turban in 2006, during the conferment of an honorary doctorate in Law. Said event, graced by dignitaries including Prince Philip, became indelible when the Duke of Edinburgh drew attention to the modest accessory stating, “Look at the colour of his turban,” prompting applause from the audience.
The former prime minister, a personification of humility, explained that light blue was one of his favourite colours. Singh also traced its significant and interesting connection to his days at the University of Cambridge.
At Cambridge, the visionary’s blue turban earned him the affectionate nickname, “blue turban”, among peers. This colour choice, though influenced by personal preference, was emblematic of his non-partisan vision, intellectual rigour, and determination. These qualities, sown and watered during his academic tenure, moulded the diligent leader’s economic philosophy and served instrumental in developing the country’s most critical reforms.
Singh’s time at Cambridge, enriched by the influence of economists like Nicholas Kaldor, and Joan Robinson proved decisive in later policy decisions that would adorn his glorious leadership.
2004 to 2014 proved a robust decade for India’s global standing, captained by this refined soul, who steered the nation through unprecedented economic growth and poverty alleviation, and positioned India as an emerging economic powerhouse. Yet, as Manmohan Singh climbed the rungs of policy decisions holding onto a growing India, the turban was more than an aesthetic— a symbol of continuity and values, not only a reminder of his roots but also a mark of his quiet resilience and integrity.
The turban sat on the head that envisioned a new India, whether he addressed global leaders or engaged with students at Cambridge, not as a mark of pride, but as a testament to his humility and unwavering dedication to principles. Blue is symbolic of inspiration and wisdom and woven into the fabric was his inspiring personal journey set against the aspirations of a nation, leaving behind a legacy that is as vast as the blue sky, transcending a memorable decade in office.
In the light blue turban rests the individual identity of Manmohan Singh and his vision for a progressive, inclusive, and economically vibrant India.
