The Hindu : National : Celebrations in Manmohan's native town

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 20, 2004

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Celebrations in Manmohan's native town

AMRITSAR, MAY 19. Residents of Amritsar are overjoyed at the prospect of the former Union Finance Minister and senior Congress leader, Manmohan Singh, becoming the country's next Prime Minister.

The sleepy Khoti Bazaar locality in Amritsar, where the 71-year-old Dr. Singh has lived for about 15 years, woke up suddenly to the news that he was tipped to be the next Prime Minister. There was joy in the family which has been receiving several congratulatory calls from friends and well-wishers.

"We will get to know about his work later. As a Finance Minister, the world came to know how good he was, but as a Prime Minister, they will soon know," said Daljit Singh, brother of Dr. Singh.

Friends could not stop praising Dr. Singh, whom they described as "uncomplicated and mature."

"He is a family friend, a very humble man, very uncomplicated and a mature person. We are happy that he is going to be the country's next Prime Minister," said Amarjit Singh, a friend.

Not many are aware that the permanent address of Dr. Singh is in a quiet locality in Guwahati, Assam. The address is: House No. 3989, Nandan Nagar, Ward Number 51, Sarumataria, Dispur, Guwahati - 781006,

The double-storeyed building in an uptown residential area belongs to the former Assam Chief Minister, late Hiteswar Saikia, whose wife, the State Sericulture Minister, Hemoprova Saikia, now resides in it.

Residents of Sarumataria are thrilled that their "famous next-door neighbour'' is poised to be the Prime Minister

ANI, PTI

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