Team Herald
PANJIM: Four-time
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar passed away on Sunday at his private residence
at Dona Paula just over a year after he was detected to be suffering from pancreatic
cancer. A former Defence Minister, Parrikar, 63, is survived by his sons,
Utpal, Abhijat and their families.
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The government
announced a public holiday on Monday and seven days State mourning. The final
rites of his mortal remains will be performed at Miramar on Monday evening with
State honours.
“We inform with
deep grief that our beloved Chief Minister of Goa Manohar Parrikar passed away
today (Sunday) evening, after a spirited battle against cancer,” the Chief
Minister’s Office announced on social media.
Parrikar had
fallen ill very suddenly on the afternoon of February 14, 2018 and since then
had been admitted to various hospitals in Goa, Mumbai, Delhi and USA for
treatment before being given all medical attention at his personal residence at
Dona Paula, where he breathed his last.
A huge crowd had
gathered outside Parrikar’s residence with a large police force in place to
avoid any untoward incident. Elders, youths, women gathered in large number and
were seen requesting police officials to allow them to view Parrikar’s mortal remains.
Tears rolled in from the eyes of many individuals present there as they shout
“bhai bhai bhai”.
According to the
official statement released by the CMO at around 7.30pm, it was said that
Parrikar’s health has become extremely critical and doctors are trying their
best. However, sources confirm that Parrikar breathed his last between 6.30pm
and 6.40pm.
Sources further
said that his health condition started worsening at around 4pm and he was kept
on life support since Friday evening. His family members had started arriving
at his residence since afternoon.
The official
announcement of the death came at around 8.10pm after the President of India
tweeted a condolence message. “Extremely sorry to hear of the passing of 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.”
The first IITan
to be Chief Minister of any State, Parrikar, was sworn in as Chief Minister the
first time on October 24, 2000. He was drafted into the Narendra Modi cabinet
as Union Defence Minister in November 2014, the only Goa politician to be elevated
to such a highest position.
Despite his
critical illness, Parrikar had presented the State Budget in 2018 and again in
2019 where he said, “I will continue to serve the people of Goa till my last
breath”. He had even attended the
inauguration of the third Mandovi Bridge – Atal Sethu – in presence of Union
Minister for Shipping Nitin Gadkari in January, this year.
He started the
speech with “How’s the josh?” sending out a clear signal that he has kept his ‘josh’
high despite illness. He later addressed a booth workers convention along with
Party president Amit Shah on February 9, where he said that he had reserved his
long speeches for the election campaign.
With the news of
Parrikar’s demise spreading, his relatives started arriving. Political stalwarts,
including Union AYUSH minister Shripad Naik, Speaker Dr Pramod Sawant, MP
Narendra Sawaikar, were among the first one to arrive at his residence.
BJP National
President Amit Shah tweeted “Manohar Parrikar ji’s demise is extremely painful.
In him, the nation has lost a true patriot who selflessly dedicated his entire
life to the country and ideology. Parrikarji’s commitment towards his people
and duties was exemplary.”
Parrikar who was Union
Defence Minister from November 2014 resigned in March 2017 to take over as
Chief Minister of Goa and cobbled together an alliance of BJP, Goa Forward
Party, MGP and Independents to form the government.
