"BMW? No, my car is the Maruti 800..." Yogi Government Minister, Formerly Manmohan Singh’s Bodyguard, Shares Emotional Memories and a Fascinating Story

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Yogi Government Minister Aseem Arun share an old photograph.

Digital Desk, : Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh passed away at the age of 92 at AIIMS, Delhi. On Thursday evening, he was admitted to the hospital after his health deteriorated, where he took his last breath. Leaders across the spectrum, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, expressed their grief over his demise.

Amidst this, Aseem Arun, a minister in the Yogi government, shared a heartfelt post recounting his time as the chief bodyguard of Dr. Manmohan Singh during his tenure as Prime Minister.

Sharing a picture with Dr. Singh, Aseem Arun wrote:
“I served as his bodyguard for almost three years starting in 2004. In the Special Protection Group (SPG), the closest layer of protection for the Prime Minister is the Close Protection Team (CPT), and I had the privilege of leading it. The Assistant Inspector General of CPT (AIG-CPT) is someone who can never be away from the PM. If only one bodyguard could stay, it had to be this person. It was my responsibility to stay with him, like his shadow.”

"My car is this Maruti 800"

He went on to share,
“Dr. Sahib owned just one car—a Maruti 800—which was parked behind the gleaming black BMW at the PM's residence. Dr. Manmohan Singh often said to me, ‘Aseem, I don't like traveling in this car (BMW); my car is this (Maruti).’ I used to explain to him, ‘Sir, this vehicle isn’t for luxury but has security features that the SPG requires.’ However, whenever the motorcade passed by the Maruti, he would look at it with affection, as if reaffirming his belief, ‘I am a middle-class man, and my duty is to care for the common people. The BMW might be for the PM, but my car is this Maruti.’”

Dr. Manmohan Singh Passes Away at 92

Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh passed away at the age of 92 at AIIMS, Delhi. On Thursday evening, after his health worsened, he was admitted to the hospital, where he breathed his last.

Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep sorrow and condolences over the demise of the former Prime Minister.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath wrote on social media (X):
"The demise of former Prime Minister and renowned economist Dr. Manmohan Singh is deeply saddening and an irreparable loss to Indian politics. As Finance Minister and Prime Minister, he played a pivotal role in the governance of the nation. My humble tributes to him! I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family and his supporters to bear this immense loss."