Team Herald
PANJIM: Endorsing that former Union Defence Minister late Manohar Parrikar’s “simplicity”, “personality” and “ideology” would be a source of inspiration for youths, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, remembering his former colleague, said that Parrikar will be remembered by generations for his “deeds” and not for “political stature”.
Singh, who said that he was feeling guilty conscious for not attending the last rites of Parrikar, was in Goa on Thursday to attend the condolence meeting organised by the State government in memory of former Chief Minister. During his half an hour long speech, Union Minister narrated several anecdotes about his experience with Parrikar.
“His (Parrikar) life may have been short but his life had greatness. You have greatness when your heart is elevated. He was without any arrogance and that was his personality. Simplicity was integral part of his personality. Entire country was praising his simplicity,” Singh said.
BJP leader said that Parrikar’s simplicity, passion towards work, dedication, courage to work in difficult situation and his fighting spirit are something’s that needs to be inculcated. “His personality, simplicity and ideology will work as source of inspiration for generations.
“His stature in Indian politics was not because of he being Chief Minister of Goa or Defence Minister of the Country. It was due to his deeds. He did not achieve the stature for holding any position but because of his work,” Singh added.
Recalling his memories with Parrikar as Defence Minister, Singh said that Prime Minister was looking for a Defence Minister with clean political career, who was fighter and decisive. “PM was not satisfied with any names that were suggested and then he thought of Parrikar,” he said.
“After Uri terror attack, we were called by PM. I was with Parrikar in that meeting. Parrikar was extremely upset and angry over the incident,” Singh said adding that Parrikar later launched airstrike which was monitored by him, while the action was on.
“He has also played a major role in the air strike. He monitored the operation throughout night. He played important role in two air strikes,” the union minister said.
Singh also claimed that Parrikar had sensed the mood of the country before recommending Narendra Modi’s name as PM candidate during 2013 National Executive.
“When National Executive happened in the year 2013, I was President of the party. After receiving me at the airport in Goa, when we sat over a tea, he told me that mood of the country was in favour of Narendra Modi becoming next Prime Minister,” he said.
The condolence meet saw presence of large number of people including family members of Parrikar – son Utpal and Abhijat and their families, brother, sister amongst others. Governor Dr Mridula Sinha, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, Deputy CM Vijai Sardesai, cabinet ministers, union Minister for Ayush Shripad Naik, Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar, RSS national general secretary Bhayyaji Joshi were also present.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor Dr Mridula Sinha remembered how she had refused to go to Goa as Governor but had to change her mind after speaking to Parrikar. She also said that Parrikar, during his illness, had expressed his wish to visit Raj Bhavan, to which she had said no.
“Just before the last Assembly session, I had visited Parrikar to his residence and he told me that he will come to Assembly and present budget and also receive me. I told him not to come and warned that if he comes, she will not go,” she said adding ‘on the assembly day when Parrikar was not there to receive me, I was very happy…but as I entered the House, I saw him sitting on first chair and standing for national anthem’.
Governor also said that people like Parrikar will definitely take rebirth.
Earlier speaking, RSS national General Secretary Bhayyaji Joshi also said that all those who believe in rebirth, get sure that Parrikar will continue to take rebirths till his dreams, seen towards the State and nation are achieved.
He said that Parrikar was Swayamsevak and that is enough to define his personality. “Parrikar gave his all to the society. In the social and political field, he has set benchmark. There are few people who set the benchmark and fulfill it,” Joshi said, addressing the gathering in presence of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Governor Mridula Sinha, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and others.
“We could see reflection of teachings of Sangh in his political life. Parrikar nurtured dream about Goa and also fulfilled it,” he said.
Joshi recalled that Parrikar had extraordinary capability to take decisions.
Reiterating that he lost a father figure, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant said that death of Parrikar has been a personal loss for him. “I am on this chair of CM and I owe it to Parrikar. Parrikar would be remembered as architect of modern Goa,” he said.
Earlier, Minister for Revenue Rohan Khaunte, with a chocked voice said that “No other Manoharbhai will be born”. He said that he was an institution, an university within, who taught and guided all the new legislators.
“He was a great politician…a great administrator. He became face of politics even while in opposition,” he said.
