In a heartfelt ceremony held at the party’s new Indira Bhawan headquarters on Friday, Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi officially opened the Dr. Manmohan Singh Research Centre and Library. The inauguration coincided with the 93rd birth anniversary of the esteemed former Prime Minister, a figure widely revered for his profound contributions to India.
The event was graced by the presence of several senior Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. Dr. Singh’s wife, Gursharan Kaur, and other family members were also in attendance, adding a personal touch to the significant occasion.
This impressive new library is home to an extensive collection of approximately 1,200 books, meticulously chronicling the rich history of both the Indian National Congress and the nation itself. Visitors will find dedicated sections honoring towering figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Indira Gandhi. The collection also includes comprehensive multi-volume sets of The Encyclopedia of the Congress and a complete archive of the party’s election manifestoes, offering invaluable insights into its ideological evolution and policy stances.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh shared his thoughts on the occasion via a post on social media, stating, “Today, on the 93rd birth anniversary of Dr. Manmohan Singh, our CPP Chairperson Sonia Gandhi ji inaugurated the Dr. Manmohan Singh Research Center and Library, with Gursharan Kaur ji present. This marks a formal and significant step, as the party previously maintained only an informal library at its former 24, Akbar Road office.”
Rahul Gandhi also expressed his sentiments on a social media platform, emphasizing the profound importance of the new establishment. “Today, as we celebrate Dr. Manmohan Singh ji’s birthday, we inaugurated the Dr. Manmohan Singh Research Centre and Library at Indira Bhawan, New Delhi. Dr. Singh’s life and work serve as an enduring beacon of simplicity, honesty, and unwavering dedication,” he wrote. He further added, “This center is not merely a tribute to his remarkable legacy but also a powerful reminder for generations to come of what genuine service to the nation truly embodies.”
A plaque at the newly inaugurated Dr. Manmohan Singh Research Centre and Library at Indira Bhawan, New Delhi, during its unveiling. (Photo Credit: PTI)
Beyond its vast literary collection, the library also curates a fascinating array of rare photographs. These include iconic images such as all members of the Constituent Assembly, and a glimpse of Dr. Singh in his office during 1991, the pivotal year he delivered his groundbreaking budget as Finance Minister. Other historical photographic treasures feature Jawaharlal Nehru alongside V.K. Krishna Menon, and a collective portrait of the Congress party’s esteemed founding leaders: A.O. Hume, Dadabhai Naoroji, and William Wedderburn.