Saluting the epitome of integrity..! Goa CM Manohar Parrikar waives off the world..!

Panaji, March 17: Expressing their feelings heavy over the sad demise of Manohar Parrikar, the nation salutes the veteran for serving the state till his last breath. The former defence Minister, aged 63, breathed his last today after giving a tough fight with pancreatic cancer for several months. The last rites however shall be conducted at 5 pm on 18th of March in Panaji.

 

Paying rich tributes to the tenth Chief Minister of Goa, President Ram Nath Kovind said that India will never forget his dedication and service. “Extremely sorry to hear of the passing of Shri Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister of Goa, after an illness borne with fortitude and dignity. An epitome of integrity and dedication in public life, his service to the people of Goa and of India will not be forgotten”, he said.

PM Narendra Modi also expressed his grief saying, “Shri Manohar Parrikar was the builder of modern Goa. Thanks to his affable personality and accessible nature, he remained the preferred leader of the state for years. His pro-people policies ensured Goa scales remarkable heights of progress”.

Parrikar's health had been fluctuating for several days and worsened on Saturday morning. The former Defence Minister had been in and out of hospital in Goa, Mumbai, Delhi and New York since February last year. Last month, he was admitted in the Goa Medical College and Hospital near Panaji.

Over the recent months, he had made public appearances with a tube in his nose, looking frail. He had turned up at the state assembly to present the budget, triggering Congress allegations that the BJP was parading him around despite his condition to save its government in the state.

Manohar Parrikar started his political journey after graduating as a metallurgical engineer from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay in 1988. In 1994 he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Goa as a BJP member and became chief Minister of Goa in 2000 for the next five years.

Born in Mapusa, Goa, Parrikar completed his secondary education in Marathi and joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at a young age becoming a chief instructor in the final years of his schooling. After graduating from IIT, he resumed RSS work in Mapusa while maintaining a private business, and became a local director at the age of 26, touching the ideological heights.

Meanwhile Congress chief Rahul Gandhi also tweeted saying, “I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Goa CM, Shri Manohar Parrikar Ji, who bravely battled a debilitating illness for over a year. Respected and admired across party lines, he was one of Goa's favourite sons. My condolences to his family in this time of grief.