Manohar Parrikar is an Indian politician who served as Chief Minister of Goa four times. Apart from holding some high-profile positions in his political career, including chief minister of Goa and defense minister of India, Parrikar was known for his simplicity and low profile throughout his life. In fact, he is considered the “original Aam Aadmi”.
Wiki/Biography
Manohar Parrikar was born on December 13, 1955, in a modest Maratha family in Mapusa town, Goa (age 63; time of death). Throughout his childhood, most of Goa’s top schools were associated with the Catholic Church. However, Parrikar’s parents tried to lay the foundation for a Catholic school education based on Hindu revivalism through the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He attended New Goa High School, Mapusa High School (Pune Board), Goa, and Loyola High School, Margao. Parrikar joined RSS during his student days and even before joining IIT, he became the Mukhya Shikshak (Principal Lecturer) of RSS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBzG-c7sCgg
After completing his studies, Parrikar entered the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay; there he studied metallurgical engineering. In 1978, he collapsed while completing his engineering degree at IIT Bombay. Parrikar returned to Goa from Bombay and became a very young Sanghchalak (local director) in 1989, the same year Goa became a state.
Manohar Parrikar in RSS uniform
Apart from being an active RSS worker, Parrikar also runs his family business ‘Goa Hydraulics Limited’ in Mapusakaraswada, Goa. In the 1990s, he was actively involved in spreading the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in Goa. Thereafter, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party and became an active politician. Soon he reached the pinnacle of his political career and went on to hold important positions in Goa and the central region. Even after reaching the pinnacle of success, Parrikar always maintained a low profile. In fact, he earned the nickname “Civilian CM.”
Manohar Parrikar plays football on a local beach in Goa
There are many simple and down-to-earth stories about Parrikar. While in Goa, Parrikar was often seen buying vegetables from local vendors, frequenting village roadside stalls for snacks and meals, riding a scooter on Goa’s roads, and strolling around local Goa markets and beaches .
Manohar Parrikar riding a scooter
In short, Parrikar’s identity is firmly established as a common man wearing short sleeves and sandals. In September 2018, he was admitted to AIIMS, New Delhi, where he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. After her diagnosis, Parrikar received treatment in India and the United States.
Manohar Parrikar undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer
On March 17, 2019, he was unable to fight the disease and bid farewell to this vibrant planet. People of all ages, castes, religions and political parties condoled his death.
Narendra Modi tweets about Manohar Parrikar’s death
family, caste and wife
Manohar Parrikar was born into the Brahmin family of Gaud Saraswat. Parrikar was born into a business family in the village of Pala; hence his family’s name. His father’s name is Gopalkrishna Parrikar and mother’s name is Radhabai Parrikar. Manohar has two brothers: Avdhut Parrikar and Suresh Parrikar. In 1981, he experienced a love marriage with Medha.
Manohar Parrikar and wife Medha
Parrikar and his wife Medha have two sons: Abhijit Parrikar and Utpal Parrikar.
Manohar Parrikar with son Utpal and daughter-in-law Uma
His wife died of cancer in late 1999. Just a few months before he was sworn in as Chief Minister of Goa for the first time.
Profession
Manohar Parrikar became active in politics by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). However, his first electoral success was unsuccessful and he was defeated by Congress candidate Harish Chantey in the 1991 Lok Sabha polls. Parrikar was first elected to the Second Legislative Assembly of Goa in 1994. In 1999, he was promoted to Leader of Opposition in the Goa Legislative Assembly and remained in office from June to November 1999. Manohar Parrikar took office as Chief Minister for the first time on 24 October 2000.
Manohar Parrikar in Goa CM office
However, his term only lasted until February 27, 2002. On June 5, 2002, he was re-elected as a member of the Goa Legislative Assembly and served as chief minister for the second time. On January 29, 2005, his government was reduced to a minority in Parliament after four BJP MPs resigned from the House of Representatives. However, he proved his majority in the House of Representatives the next month. The Bharatiya Janata Party led by Parrikar was defeated by the Congress Party led by former BJP leader Digambal Kamat in the 2007 Goa Assembly elections. In the 2012 Goa Assembly elections, the Parrikar-led BJP and its allies won 24 seats, defeating the Congress party’s 9 seats. Manohar Parrikar first nominated Narendra Modi as the prime ministerial candidate ahead of the 2013 BJP assembly election convention in Goa.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vqqpcetj_ok
Under the leadership of Manohar Parrikar, the BJP won two seats in Goa in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. When the BJP government moved to the centre, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convinced Parrikar to join the central government as defense minister.
Manohar Parrikar and Narendra Modi
Parrikar, who was initially reluctant to leave Goa, eventually accepted the post of defense minister. Parrikar said at a press conference announcing his acceptance of the post of defense minister:
It will be very difficult for me to leave the state,” he said. “I will leave with a heavy heart. “
Manohar Parrikar appointed as Defense Minister of India
He entered the Assembly after being selected as the party’s candidate for the Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha seat. Parrikar served as India’s Defense Minister from November 2014 to March 2017. On March 14, 2017, he was again sworn in as the Prime Minister of Goa. In September 2018, Goa’s opposition raised questions over the stability of the government over Parrikar’s illness; when he was admitted to AIIMS in New Delhi. In January 2019, even though he was seriously ill, he appeared in the Goa Legislative Assembly to present the budget. When presenting the budget, he even said, “How about Josh!”
Manohar Parrikar to present budget in Goa Assembly
dispute
- In 2001, he was criticized for renaming 51 government schools in rural areas as Vidya Bharati (the education wing of the RSS).
- In 2014, he appointed six MLAs to participate in the World Cup at a cost of about 8.9 million rupees, sparking controversy. Opposition parties criticized his delegation for not including any football experts and for wasting public funds.
- Once, he created controversy with his remarks, which were aimed at LK Advani-
Kimchi tastes delicious after being stored for a year. But if stored for more than two years, it will deteriorate. Advaniji’s era is more or less over. “
Awards and Honors
2001: IIT Bombay Distinguished Alumni Award
2012: CNN-IBN Indian of the Year
2018: Honorary Doctorate from National Institute of Technology, Goa
fact
- He was the first IIT teacher from any Indian state to be elected to the provincial assembly.
- He was also the first IIT man to become the chief minister of an Indian state.
- He is fluent in Hindi, English and Marathi.
- He likes to wear half-sleeved shirts; even in the cold Delhi winters.
- He loved fish so much that he would even go to ordinary people’s houses for lunch or dinner.
- In September 2016, when the Indian army launched a surgical strike in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the then Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar.
- He considers the number 13, his birth date, to be lucky. His license plate number during his tenure was 1313.
Manohar Parrikar Goa CM official car
- He enjoys unusual popularity among Goan voters irrespective of their religion, caste or economic background.
- In 2004, he made Goa the permanent venue of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
- Parrikar’s biggest contribution to the Indian military establishment was the First Order, One Pension Plan (OROP).
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education