Manohar Parrikar was shifted to AIIMS in New Delhi on September 15 last year and returned to Goa on October 14. Since then, he had been recuperating at his private residence at Dona Paula. He was last seen in public at Atal Booth Karyakarta Sammelan earlier in February when BJP chief Amit Shah came to address the party. Since early this year, he had limited his public interactions and only travelled along with the medical staff of Goa Medical College. Parrikar attended the Budget session of Goa Assembly on January 29 and presented the state budget the next day. On the last day of the session on January 31, he was taken for treatment to AIIMS in Delhi and he returned to Goa on February 5.
Born on December 13, 1955, in Goa’s Mapusa, Parrikar completed his schooling from Loyola High Schol and graduated from IIT-Bombay in metallurgical engineering in 1978. After getting married to Medha Parrikar, the couple was blessed with two sons. However, in 2000, his wife died of cancer.
"I am deeply saddened to hear the demise of Manohar Parrikar ji. He was an outstanding leader and best known for his administrative acumen. He contributed immensely to the growth of Goa in particular and the country in general," Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi said in a statement.
Leaders across parties expressed grief over the demise of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar who, they said, was a dedicated public figure and one who built modern Goa and was loved by Goans.
monthly limit of free stories.
with an Express account.
President Ram Nath Kovind’s condolence message, which was the first official confirmation about his death, described Parrikar as the “epitome of integrity and dedication in public life” while Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “an unparalleled leader, a true patriot and exceptional administrator”. READ MORE HERE
The Goa Church has condoled the demise of Manohar Parrikar, claiming that the chief minister sometimes sought its opinion before taking "far-reaching decisions for the benefit of the state".
"He would sometimes seek their opinion before coming out with far-reaching decisions for the benefit of the state," Archbishop of Goa and Daman Fr Filipe Neri Ferrao said in a condolence message.
Goa has lost one of the greatest leaders of the soil. This loss is certainly irreversible and incalculable. Though I had political differences with him, I respected him as an individual as well as a leader of great abilities.I consider myself lucky to have witnessed the entire political career of our beloved ' Bhai ' who rose from a middle class family background to the height of the Defense Minister of India and I respect him a lot for his achievements. He made all of us proud.He proved himself as a true fighter who fought against the dangerous illness of cancer while continuing with the regular service of the state. He will be remembered for all his good deeds and memories he left behind for all of us to get inspiration. May our Lord bless and comfort him and his family during this time of grief. May his departed soul gets eternal peace.
Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar, leader of Opposition.
"Manohar Parrikar ji is no more with us, it's not only a loss for BJP but also for the society. From modernization of the forces to the first surgical strikes under PM Modi's leadership, he gave a good account of his administrative qualities," BJP president Amit Shah was quoted as saying by ANI.
The Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay paid tributes to Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, an alumnus of the institute. Remembering the late leader, the institute said, "Goa Chief Minister Mr. Manohar Parrikar's demise comes as a shock to all of us at IIT Bombay. He was the Institute's Distinguished Alumnus and keenly involved with many initiatives at IIT Bombay. He was also deeply involved with the launch of IIT Goa. He was the Chief Guest for the 55th Convocation of IIT Bombay held on Saturday, August 12, 2017 at 10.00 am at the Institute’s Convocation Hall. The Institute condoles his demise. The Institute had felicitated its Distinguished Alumnus Mr. Manohar Parrikar, former Minister of Defence, Government of India, who graduated in Metallurgical Engineering from the Institute in 1978, “In recognition of his contribution to the Development of the Country,” on the Alumni Day in 2014."
Parrikar was first IIT grad to be an MLA in India.
Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said Parrikar's dedication and simplicity won many hearts and he also contributed immensely towards the development of the nation. Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar also expressed grief over the demise of Parrikar. "We have lost an able and industrious administrator who made his mark with his simple demeanour and extraordinary intellect. My sincere condolences to his family members," Pawar tweeted.
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said Manohar Parrikar was a true fighter who worked tirelessly for the welfare of his people with a sense of duty and dignity. Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik described him as a widely respected public figure and an able administrator.
"Extremely saddened at the passing away of a dear friend and colleague, Shri Manohar Parrikar. A wonderful human being, his dedication towards his duty and passion for the welfare of his people will always remain an inspiration for all of us," Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan tweeted.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also condoled the demise of the Goa CM. "Deeply saddened by the news of the passing away of former Defence Minister of India & Chief Minister, Goa Manohar Parrikar. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and followers. May his soul rest in peace," Patnaik wrote on Twitter.
Former Union minister Yashwant Sinha said, “Parrikar was one of the finest human beings I met in politics. He lent dignity to every post he occupied. My heartfelt condolences. May his soul rest in peace.”
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu tweeted, “Deepest condolences over the untimely death of former Defence Minister and Chief Minister of Goa Shri Manohar Parrikar. May his soul rest in peace. May God give strength and support to the bereaved family at this saddest hour.”
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said, “BJP has faced a huge loss with the demise of Manohar Parrikar. Besides being a party member, he was a close friend of mine. He isn't with me today and I am personally very pained by this. I am leaving for Goa immediately.”
“Deeply saddened and pained by the demise of my dear friend and Chief Minister of Goa, Shri Manohar Parrikar. He was known for his honesty, integrity and simplicity. He served the nation and the state of Goa with great diligence. My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family,” Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid his tribute to the former defence minister. He tweeted, "Shri Manohar Parrikar was an unparalleled leader. A true patriot and exceptional administrator, he was admired by all. His impeccable service to the nation will be remembered by generations. Deeply saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and supporters."
DMK chief M K Stalin tweeted, “Extremely saddened to hear about the demise of Chief Minister of Goa, Thiru Manohar Parrikar. On behalf of DMK, I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends and fellow party persons.”
Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge told news agency ANI, “He (Goa CM Manohar Parrikar) was a good human being. His passing away has left a huge gap in politics; we have lost a good politician. His demise has caused us immense grief. I express my grief and I pay my tributes on behalf of my party and myself.”
Former President Pranab Mukherjee tweeted, “Deeply saddened at the passing away of Shri Manohar Parrikar. He fought bravely against his disease and I always hoped that he will beat it. Despite his deteriorating health, he put nation first and worked for it till his last breath. May he rest in peace. My prayers are with his family.”
“A people's leader respected for his humility and immense love for the nation, his passing away has left a huge void in India's public life. My sincere condolences,” Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said.
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb also expressed his condolences over the demise of the Goa CM. “Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of Shri Manohar Parrikar ji. His service to the people of Goa and for our beloved motherland will never be forgotten. May God impart strength to the bereaved family to withstand this tragic loss. Om Shanti,” he tweeted.
Putting an end to speculations, President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday announced that Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar passed away after a prolonged illness. Taking to Twitter, he said, "Extremely sorry to hear of the passing of Shri 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."