PANJIM: The State government has invited inputs on experience with ex-chief minister late Manohar Parrikar as it proposes to publish a book on his ideologies that would be an inspiration for the future generation.
“Undoubtedly, he (Parrikar) was known for creating infrastructural development, but he has also massively contributed to social and human development. Every scheme that he introduced was for human development. There are several instances which are lesser known to all. We want that his ideologies and the social impact owing to his works are compiled into a book so that the future generation gets an inspiration,” Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said addressing a condolence meet for the late chief minister, organised by Panjim Shigmotsav Samiti at Azad Maidan on Wednesday.
He has therefore invited the people to contribute their inputs that would help government compile into a book. “We want it to be published on behalf of the government and reach out to every person,” he added hinting that Parrikar’s biography could be introduced in the school curriculum alike Goa’s first chief minister Dayanand Bandokar.
Sawant recalled a number of instances wherein Parrikar personally distributed grocery items to needy families, without seeking any publicity. “He offered ‘annadanam’ to around 80 families in Sattari for many years. One day, I asked him why he did so when we never win elections from this place (taluka). He told me that not everything we do is to garner vote banks and asked me to visit these families to see the condition they were living in,” he recalled adding that every step Parrikar took was to boost the social and human development. “Interest free loan for the students seeking higher education in the country and abroad, social security schemes, cyber age scheme and so many initiatives have been started by him to cater to everyone in need of help,” the CM added.
Crediting Parrikar for his political upliftment, Sawant added that he quit a gazette post in the government to join politics as the former had confidence in him. “I lost the 2008 by-elections but I won the 2012 assembly elections and now I am the CM. Whatever I am today is because of him,” he recalled.
Minister Nilesh Cabral has also owed his political career to Parrikar stating that Parikar’s loss is difficult to overcome not only for the State but for the nation as well.
