Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar always dressed in simplicity with shortsleeved shirts and leather sandals. This humble and simple dress code which characterized him was donned even when he visited the national capital for important seminars and meeting as Goa chief minister. The same untucked style was also seen while taking oath as defence minister, while most other former chief ministers and ministers of Goa while taking oaths and even on their official visits to the national capital always used either a suit or a safari, no matter at whose cost and no matter the discomfort.
For this Republic day function which is Parrikar’s very first as defence minister, it was very pleasing to see him in formal attire for the first time. It gave a dignified feel and suited his personality. The world could picture and visualize the status and power of Manohar Parikar in the Union government. But questions keep surfacing on whether he use his status and power to benefit Goa and Goans or will he also go in oblivion like most ex-leaders failing to protect and help Goa and Goans despite holding a position of power.
Will Parrikar take judicious decisions to defer Mopa and give more land to Dabolim to retain it as the only international airport of Goa rather than opting and bulldozing Mopa and waste Goa’s scarce land resources in building super fast expressways from north to south.
The issue of Mopa has again divided Goans. Will Parrikar honestly think that for our defence requirement the nation can always take every civilian airport in the county into custody to meet defense urgency and take a bold decision to shift the navy to the nearest sea bird naval base at Karwar.
Let’s wait and watch if Parrikar’s power and status in the Union cabinet is going to turn the tide in favour of Goa.
