Manohar Parrikar, the Chief Minister of Goa and the former Defence Minister of India, passed away, on the 17th of March.
Mr. Parrikar was suffering from pancreatic cancer and died around 6:40 P.M., on the 17th of March, at his son’s residence in Panaji, Goa.
According to sources, Mr. Parrikar was on life support since the 16th of March. He was diagnosed with cancer in February 2018.
Manohar Parrikar is survived by his wife, Medha Parrikar, and his two sons.
Manohar Parrikar, 63 years old, started his political career in 1994. He was elected as a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) of Goa. He later won the elections in 2000 to become the Chief Minister of Goa and was a four time Chief Minister of Goa.
Parrikar also served as the Defence Minister of India. He was also a member of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP.)
The news of Parrikar’s demise was broken by Ram Nath Kovind, the President of India. He took to Twitter and conveyed his condolences to Mr. Parrikar’s family.
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 #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 17, 2019
Manohar Parrikar’s funeral will be held on the evening of the 18th of March. Before the funeral ceremony, his body will be kept at the Goa BJP office and the Kala Academy for people to pay their last respects to him, following which, a funeral procession will be held.
The Central Government announced national mourning on the 18th of March. All the colleges and schools in Goa will remain closed today.
Politicians such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi, BJP leaders and other party leaders took to Twitter and expressed their grief about Mr. Parrikar’s demise.
Shri Manohar Parrikar was the builder of modern Goa. Thanks to his affable personality and accessible nature, he remained the preferred leader of the state for years. His pro-people policies ensured Goa scales remarkable heights of progress.
— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 17, 2019
I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Goa CM, Shri Manohar Parrikar Ji, who bravely battled a debilitating illness for over a year.
Respected and admired across party lines, he was one of Goa’s favourite sons.
My condolences to his family in this time of grief.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 17, 2019
