2009: Manmohan Singh’s First Words After Heart Surgery Revealed

Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, renowned as a reformer of the nation's economy and a dedicated leader who served two consecutive terms, passed away on Thursday night. Several intriguing facts reflecting his commitment and sincerity towards the nation have since come to light.

Dr. Ramakant Panda, Senior Cardiac Surgeon at AIIMS, Delhi, revealed an extraordinary moment from 2009 when Manmohan Singh underwent coronary bypass surgery during his tenure as Prime Minister. The operation, which lasted approximately 11 hours, marked a critical chapter in Singh's life.

Dr. Panda shared that after the surgery, when the first "breathing tube" was removed, Manmohan Singh’s very first words were, "How is the country?" He immediately followed this by asking, "How is Kashmir?" This reaction left the medical team astonished, as most patients inquire about their health post-surgery.

“When I asked why he didn’t inquire about his surgery, he calmly responded, ‘I trust that you have done your job well. I am not worried about the surgery; I am more concerned about my country,’” recounted Dr. Panda.

Praising Singh’s humanity, humility, and patriotism, Dr. Panda described him as an exemplary patient. Unlike most individuals recovering from such extensive surgeries, Singh neither complained about chest pain nor expressed any personal discomfort. “This speaks volumes about his strength as a person,” Dr. Panda remarked.

Dr. Panda also highlighted Singh’s simplicity and discipline. “Whenever he visited the hospital, we would go to the gate to welcome him, but he always told us not to do so,” he recalled. Singh was described as a man of his word, someone who always followed through on his commitments.