‘Manmohan Singh loved his Maruti 800, not BMW’: UP minister Asim Arun, who acted as bodyguard, recalls ‘simplicity’ | Latest News India

Asim Arun, a former Indian police officer and former chief of the Special Protection Group (SPG) during Manmohan Singh’s tenure as prime minister, fondly recalled the late leader’s deep bond with his Maruti 800.

Asim Arun, who now serves as Kannauj Sadar MLA from Uttar Pradesh, took to Social Media X to share his memories, a day after Manmohan Singh passed away at AIIMS Delhi on Thursday evening at the age of 92.

Reflecting on the simplicity that characterized the economist and politician, Asim Arun noted that Manmohan Singh owned only one car – a modest Maruti 800 – which he treasured.

“I served as his bodyguard for almost three years from 2004. The Special Protection Group (SPG) provides the closest security to the Prime Minister. I had the opportunity to lead the local defense team. As Deputy Inspector General of Close Security “Team, I was never far from the Prime Minister, if there was only one bodyguard, it would be me to stay with him like a shadow,” wrote Asim Arun on X.

Asim Arun also highlighted Manmohan Singh’s simplicity and stated, “Dr. Singh owned only one car, a Maruti 800, which was parked behind the shiny black BMWs at PM House. He often told me, “Asim, I don’t like traveling in this car; “My vehicle is this (the Maruti).’ I would explain that this car is not intended for your luxury but has safety features required for the self-propelled gun. But whenever the convoy passed the Maruti, he would look at it longingly, as if reaffirming his identity as a middle-class man who cared about the common man. The expensive cars belonged to the Prime Minister; Mine is this Maruti,” he added.

Known for his calm demeanor, humility and intellect, Singh became a pioneer of economic reform as finance minister in 1991 and later served as prime minister from 2004 to 2014.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to Manmohan Singh

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the death of his predecessor as a great loss to the nation and assured that his commitment to the people and development of the country will always be respected.

In a video message, Modi recalled Singh’s life journey after his family migrated to India and left everything behind after Partition, noting that his many achievements since then have not been an easy task.

His life will always serve as a lesson to future generations on how one can overcome hardships and struggles to reach the pinnacle of success, he said.

Modi said Singh, who died on Thursday at the age of 92, will always be remembered as a decent human being, scholar, economist and reformer.