A Life Beyond Politics: Remembering Dr Manmohan Singh

On the evening of December 26, the news of Dr Manmohan Singh's passing broke, and many posted an emotional tribute to the man who had guarded India's economy steadfastly for decades. From celebrities to politicians to journalists and people across backgrounds, everybody shared a heartfelt tribute, recalling his excellence in introducing major economic reforms that led to India's liberalisation and unprecedented growth, his calm demeanour through it all and his remarkable humility despite it all.

Beyond the corridors of power, he cherished moments with his family, which comes alive in "Strictly Personal: Manmohan and Gursharan," a book written by his daughter, Daman Singh. The memoir provides an intimate glimpse into the life he shared with his wife, Gursharan Kaur, and their family.

The Man Behind The Scenes

In the book, Daman recounts the family’s favourite haunts in Delhi during Singh’s years away from the spotlight. Bookshops like Ramakrishna and Sons in Kashmere Gate and Galgotia in Connaught Place were regular stops where they would lose themselves in literary treasures. Dining out was a rare treat, with preordained visits to Krishna Sweets in Kamla Nagar for South Indian food, the Tandoor in Daryaganj for Mughlai cuisine, or Fujiya on Malcha Marg for Chinese fare.

Among these, only Fujiya still stands. This charming restaurant is among the oldest in the area, drawing loyal patrons and food enthusiasts seeking out the city's finest Chinese cuisine. Renowned for its delectable offerings, it stands out with dishes like Sliced Chicken in Oyster Sauce, Crispy Spinach Pepper Salt, and Stuffed Fish Shanghai.

To know more about all the other places in Delhi that the family frequented, here's an excerpt from the book:

"There were moments, however, when he actually detached himself from work long enough to take us out. Our most thrilling excursions were to bookshops: Ramakrishna and Sons in Kashmere Gate, and Galgotia and New Book Depot in Connaught Place. Let loose among the tantalizing shelves, we would stumble out in a drunken daze, clutching our purchases. Every couple of months we went out to eat at preordained locations: Krishna Sweets in Kamla Nagar for south Indian food, the Tandoor in Daryaganj for Mughlai, Fujiya on Malcha Marg for Chinese, and Bengali Market for chaat. And three or four times a year we drove across town to visit the Sudans, Handas, Uberois, or Chakravartys, or perhaps my aunt Pritam."

"Strictly Personal: Manmohan and Gursharan" was published on August 8, 2014, by Harper Collins India)