Goa chief minister and former Defence minister Manohar Parrikar was cremated with state honours on Monday at Panaji’s Miramar beach, with thousands gathered to bid the affable politician a fond farewell.
The mortal remains of Parrikar were kept in a flower-decked hearse and the funeral procession began from the Kala Academy for the Miramar beach, where the last rites were performed.
Parrikar’s son Utpal lit the funeral pyre.
BJP president Amit Shah, some Union ministers and chief ministers of BJP-ruled states attended the funeral at Miramar.
As the vehicle carrying late Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar’s body travelled 5 km from his private residence in Dona Paula to Panaji in the morning, people tried to catch a glimpse of the leader.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Parrikar at the Kala Academy and met his family members and offered his condolences to them.
“Paid tributes to my friend Shri Manohar Parrikar. He personified humility, simplicity and compassion. The good work he has done will be remembered for years to come,” Modi tweeted.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also met Parrikar’s family members and paid tributes to the former defence minister.
