CM Parrikar celebrates his birthday at home

PANJIM: Ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, for the first time since he became MLA of Panjim assembly constituency, two decades ago, did not celebrate his birthday in public. Parrikar turned 63. 

Wishes poured in from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to BJP President Amit Shah for the leader along with prayers for his good health.  

Parrikar’s son Utpal and Abhijat along with the party workers took blessings of Goddess Mahalaxmi, which their father used to do on the occasion of his birthday every year. 

BJP Panjim unit had organised a blood donation camp in party’s headquarters, which has been a practice since the year 2006. Huge crowd turned out for the blood donation. 

 “Since doctors have adviced rest to the CM and he has been asked to avoid public contact, he did not step out of his home to celebrate birthday,” a senior BJP office bearer said. 

He said that this is for the first time since he became MLA, Parrikar was not amongst his voters to celebrate his birthday. Parrikar use to fly to Goa to celebrate his birthday, even when he was Defence Minister. 

BJP workers celebrated with the special children from two schools Disha Trust and People’s School for Special Children, where Parrikar use to visit on his birthday, without fail. 

On the occasion, Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) inaugurated the beautified Panjim municipal garden. The total expenditure was to the tune of Rs 96 lakhs. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took on social media to wish Parrikar and prayed for his good health.  “Birthday greetings to my friend and Goa’s CM @manoharparrikar Ji. Parrikar Ji is known for his compassionate, down to earth and hardworking nature. He is extremely passionate about Goa’s development. The entire nation prays for Parrikar Ji’s good health,” the Prime Minister has tweeted.

BJP national president Amit Shah also tweeted “Wishing a very happy birthday to the chief Minister of Goa shri @manoharparrikar ji. His passion and commitment towards the development of Goa is truly great, I pray for his good health”. 

Tweeter was flooded with wishes for Parrikar from national leaders like Union Minister for Home Rajnath Singh, Union Minister for Finance Arun Jaitley, Union Minister for Commerce Suresh Prabhu, Union Minister for Railways Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for MOEF Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Women and Child Meneka Gandhi, Union Minister for Ayush Shripad Naik, Union Minister for Khadi Smriti Irani, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Benerjiee, MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy, MP Pankaja Munde, Karanataka BJP chief  B S Yeddyurappa, BJP MP chief Shivraj Singh Chouhan, NCP leader Praful Patel, etc. 

State leaders also took on social media to wish their leader like cabinet colleagues Vijai Sardesai, Rohan Khaunte, Vishwajit Rane, Manohar Ajgaonkar, MP Narendra Sawaikar, Vinay Tendulkar, Congress president Girish Chodankar amongst others. 

Parrikar who is currently recuperating at his private residence at Dona Paula since October 14 has not made any public appearance till date.