Once or twice every month, Manmohan Singh, the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, would walk to the famous Strand Book Stall in Mumbai’s Fort area to check out new books. The staff at the store had no idea that this quiet book-lover would someday become the Prime Minister of India.
T. Jagath, a former employee at Strand, shared lovely memories of Dr. Singh, who sadly passed away in Delhi at the age of 92. He was RBI governor from 1982 to 1985. Jagath remembered seeing him dressed in a ‘Band Gala’ suit or a Kurta-Pyjama, visiting the bookshop during lunch hours.
“I used to manage the management and literature section. He would ask for books on business, finance, and economics,” Jagath said. Sometimes, Jagath would find a book for him, and Singh would even remember his name. The owner of Strand, T.N. Shanbhag, would often help him pick out new books too.
“We would look forward to his visits every afternoon, knowing he might come by,” said Jagath. “India has lost a great economist and a wonderful person.” He noted how Singh was different from other RBI governors he had seen. “He was very soft-spoken and kind. He treated everyone with respect. No other political figure is as great as Dr. Singh,” Jagath added.
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