Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called and wished former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his 92nd birthday.

Economist and former academician, Dr. Manmohan Singh, was the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Prime Minister during 2004-2014.

Earlier today, PM Modi extended wishes to his predecessor on social media X.

“Birthday greetings to former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. I pray that he is blessed with a long and healthy life,” PM Modi said in his post on X.

The former Prime Minister turned 92 on Thursday, with Congress leaders lauding his contributions. 

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge extended his birthday wishes to the former Prime Minister and a veteran Congress leader on social media platform X.  

On the occasion of his birthday, Kharge said Dr. Singh stands as a rare embodiment of simplicity, dignity and ingenuity in the realm of politics.

“A visionary statesman, whose actions spoke louder than words, we remain deeply grateful for his tremendous and invaluable contributions to the nation. Wishing him good health, happiness and a long life ahead,” he added.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also extended his wishes to Dr. Singh on his birthday and said: “Your humility, wisdom, and selfless service in shaping our country’s future continue to inspire me and millions of Indians. Wishing you good health and happiness always!”

The Congress said the entire life of renowned economist and former Prime Minister Dr. Singh has been dedicated to the country. It added that Dr. Singh has made many public welfare policies keeping in mind the interests, progress, and welfare of all sections of the country.

“On behalf of the Congress family, happy birthday and best wishes to Dr. Manmohan Singh, the architect of economic prosperity in India. We pray to God for your healthy and long life,” the Congress party said in a post on X.

Manmohan Singh served as India’s Prime Minister for two consecutive terms from 2004 to 2014. He is known for implementing major economic reforms in the 1990s as the finance minister. Despite facing opposition, Singh successfully opened up India’s economy and is recognized as a key architect of significant reforms. Dr. Singh is currently a member of the Rajya Sabha.

As many as 43 people, including 37 children, drowned and three others went missing while taking holy dips in rivers and ponds in separate incidents during the ‘Jivitputrika’ festival in Bihar, the state government said in a statement on Thursday.

The incidents occurred in 15 districts of the state during the festival held on Wednesday. During the ‘Jivitputrika’ festival, women fast for the well-being of their children.

“A total of 43 bodies have been recovered so far. Further search operation is on,” a statement issued by the Disaster Management Department (DMD) said.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced an exgratia of Rs 4 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased.

The ex-gratia process has commenced, and the family members of eight deceased individuals have already received it, according to the statement.

According to PTI, the drowning incidents were reported in the districts of East and West Champaran, Nalanda, Aurangabad, Kaimur, Buxar, Siwan, Rohtas, Saran, Patna, Vaishali, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Gopalganj, and Arwal.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut was granted bail by a Mumbai court on Thursday in a defamation case filed by Medha Somaiya, wife of BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, hours after he was convicted and sentenced to 15 days of simple imprisonment.

The court later suspended the sentence for 30 days and granted bail to the Rajya Sabha MP after he filed a bail application.

Judicial Magistrate (First Class) Aarti Kulkarni convicted Raut for the offence under Indian Penal Code Section 500 (punishment for defamation). Besides the jail sentence, the court has also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on him.

After the court’s judgment, Raut’s lawyer promptly filed two pleas for suspension of the sentence and granting him bail, both of which the court approved.

“The defamation case was filed by Dr Medha Kirit Somaiya, wife of BJP leader Kirit Somaiya. The court ordered 15-day imprisonment for Sanjay Raut and also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000,” Vivekanand Gupta, advocate representing Dr Medha, told ANI.

Raut was found guilty under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) by the magistrate court in Mazgaon, he added.

In her complaint filed through advocate Vivekanand Gupta, Medha Somaiya firmly alleged that Raut made baseless and completely defamatory allegations against her and her husband.

She emphasised that Raut accused them of being involved in a Rs 100 crore scam related to the construction and maintenance of public toilets under the jurisdiction of the Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation.

Medha had sought an unconditional apology and a permanent injunction against Raut, prohibiting him from publishing, circulating, or printing defamatory material about her in the future.

“The statements made by the accused to the media are undeniably defamatory. These statements have been made to tarnish my character in the eyes of the general public,” the complaint firmly stated.