The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has condoled the sad demise of Manohar Parrikar. The Cabinet observed silence for two minutes in the memory of Late Manohar Parrikar.
The Cabinet has also approved observing one day of mourning by the Government of India and flying the National Flag at half-mast on March 18 in all the States/UTs Capitals including Delhi and throughout the State of Goa.
The Cabinet expresses profound sorrow at the sad demise of Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister of Goa in the evening of March 17 at Panaji, Goa. In his passing away, the country has lost a veteran and distinguished leader affectionately called as the Chief Minister of commoners.
Born on December 13, 1955, at Mapusa, Goa, Parrikar was educated at Loyola School, Margao and later graduated in Metallurgical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai in 1978. Before entering politics, Parrikar had joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at a young age and became a Mukhya Shikshak (Chief Instructor) in the final years of his schooling itself. After graduating from IIT, he resumed RSS work in Mapusa and became a Sanghchalak at the age of 26.
As a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Parrikar was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Goa in 1994. He became the Chief Minister of Goa for the first time on 24th October 2000 and continued till 27th February 2002. He was re-elected as Chief Minister on 3rd June 2002 and served till 2nd February 2005. He became Chief Minister of Goa for the third time on 9th March 2012 and continued till 8th November 2014.
On November 9, 2014, Parrikar became Union Minister of Defence and continued till March 13 2017, he was again sworn in as Chief Minister of Goa on March 14 2017.
Parrikar will be remembered for his simplicity and his abilities as an exceptional administrator. His contribution to the building of modern Goa and to the modernization of India’s Armed Forces as well as improvement to the lives of ex.-Servicemen will never be forgotten.
Parrikar was awarded the ‘Distinguished Alumnus Award’ by IIT Mumbai in 2001, Honorary Doctorate by National Institute of Technology, Goa in 2018 and the Dr S.P. Mukherjee Award in 2018, among others. He is survived by his two sons.
The Cabinet extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and the people of Goa on behalf of the Government and the entire Nation.”
