From Academia to Advocacy: How Manmohan Singh's Daughters Have Made Their Mark

A man of simplicity and intellectual brilliance, India's former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was not only a respected statesman but also a devoted family man. His three daughters—Upinder Singh, Daman Singh, and Amrit Singh—are an example in themselves of carving out remarkable careers in their respective fields for the pride of their father's legacy.

Upinder Singh: The Historian and Educator

Profession: Historian and Academic
Present Role: Dean of Faculty at Ashoka University
Education: Studied at St. Stephen's College, Delhi, and McGill University, Montreal

Upinder Singh is a renowned historian who has worked extensively on ancient Indian history. She has written several notable books, such as A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India and Political Violence in Ancient India. Upinder's scholarly contributions have earned her prestigious fellowships from Harvard and Cambridge. In 2009, she was awarded Infosys Prize in Social Sciences. Though Upinder is always very academic, she is in the news for taking a dig at The Accidental Prime Minister, a book that she said misrepresents her father, a "betrayal of trust".

Daman Singh: The Author

Profession: Author
Notable Work: Strictly Personal: Manmohan and Gursharan

Daman Singh presents a literary insight into her family's life through her memoir, Strictly Personal, which recounts the life of her parents before her father became Prime Minister. Born on September 4, 1963, Daman has also written about issues related to the environment. Her husband is Ashok Patnaik, an IPS officer, and she has a son. Daman Singh's writing has a personalized and candid approach by which one understands the values within Manmohan Singh's family.

Amrit Singh: Human Rights Activist

Occupation: Human Rights Attorney and Teacher
Positions: Staff Attorney at American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Stanford Law School Professor
Education: Bachelor's from Cambridge University; studied philosophy at Oxford and law from Yale Law School

Amrit Singh is an excellent human rights advocate. Her work includes complex legal issues and serving as counsel for the Open Society Initiative. Beyond advocacy, she has taught at some of the world's most renowned institutions, furthering her impact in legal education. Amrit's career serves as a testament to her commitment to justice and equality on a global scale.

Continuing a Legacy

Manmohan Singh's daughters have upheld the legacy of their father by extraordinary contributions in academia, literature, and human rights. Each has left her mark, reflecting values of discipline, intellectual curiosity, and service.