The Nepal Weekly 
November 11, 2025
Nepal’s political leaders, activists and laymen paid tribute to the great political leader Ganesh Man Singh on his 111th birth anniversary on Monday. Various programmes across the country, including offering garlands to the late leader’s statue located near Shobhabhagawati in Kathmandu. Prakash Man Singh and others participated on the occasion.
Late Ganesh Man Singh also known as the Supreme Commander of the 1990 People’s Movement (Jana Andolan 2046 BS), Singh is celebrated as a figure of sacrifice, integrity, and steadfast commitment to democracy.
After the success of the 1990 People’s Movement which brought multi party political system in Nepal, then King Birendra invited Singh to lead the new government as Prime Minister. But Singh, true to his humble nature, declined the offer and instead proposed his colleague Krishna Prasad Bhattarai for the role. That selfless act defined him as a statesman who valued principle over power. His humility and integrity set a lasting moral example in Nepali politics and continue to inspire new generations.
Singh was born in the year 1915 at Yetakha, near Hanuman Dhoka in Kathmandu, Nepal. At the time of his birth, Nepal was ruled by the autocratic Rana regime. From early years, Singh exhibited signs of resilience, determination, and zero tolerance towards injustice – all inherent traits of a great leader.
Ganesh Man Singh lost his father Gyan Man Singh at an early age he was raised by his Sardar Ratna Man Singh who was Gyan Man Singh’s brother. Ratna Man Singh, was a most powerful and influential civil servant. He rose Ganesh Man Singh all the way up to the position of a Badakazi during his service to the Ranas.
Singh studied in Durbar High School until Grade 6, from where he was expelled for dishonouring a fellow Rana classmate. He was home-schooled before moving to Calcutta for further studies. Singh’s interest in politics began in Calcutta, after interacting with other fellow students about the affairs of Nepal, and through own personal introspection. After returning to Nepal, Singh joined the Praja Parishad, an underground party which resisted the Rana regime. Other members of Praja Parishad included martyrs Dharma Bhakta Mathema, Shukraraj Shastri, and Ganga Lal Shrestha – all of whom where dear friends of Ganesh Man Singh.
Singh was arrested and sentenced along with other members of Praja Parishad. He was able to escape from jail, and fled to India – from where, in partnership with B P Koirala and Subarna Shumsher was able to launch Nepali Congress – the party which fought for democracy for Nepalis from the Ranas.
Because of his crucial role in the anti-Rana movement, Singh was imprisoned several times. Before the 1951 revolution, he famously escaped from Bhadragol Jail and fled to India, where he built a strong political alliance with B. P. Koirala. Together, they founded the Nepali National Congress in 1946 (2003 BS), which later evolved into today’s Nepali Congress Party.
During the 1951 revolution, Singh led the armed resistance from the Birgunj front, playing a central role in restoring democracy. He later served as a senior minister in Nepal’s first elected government in 1959 (2015 BS). When King Mahendra took power in the 1960 coup, Singh was imprisoned for eight long years, first in Singha Durbar Prison and later in Sundarijal Detention Center.
In 1991, he served as the Supreme Leader of the People’s Movement, which was able to restore democracy in Nepal.
Singh was married to Mangala Devi Singh; someone who he has said is his source of strength and inspiration.
