Goa CM Manohar Parrikar passes away aged 63

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar died at his private residence near Panaji on Sunday. He was 63.

Parrikar is survived by two sons and their families.

“Chief Minister passed away around 6.40 pm Sunday,” a senior state government official told PTI.

The BJP stalwart’s health, which has been fluctuating for a year, took a turn for the worse in the past two days.

In a tweet, President Ram Nath Kovind 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 India will not be forgotten,” the President tweeted from his official handle. Sources said former defence minister Parrikar had been on life support system since late Saturday night.

Parrikar had been unwell since February 2018 when he was diagnosed with a pancreatic ailment.

Cabinet condoles sad demise of Manohar Parrikar

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has condoled the sad demise of Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister on 17th March, 2019 at Panaji, Goa. 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 18th March, 2019 in all the States/UTs Capitals including Delhi and throughout State of Goa.

The Union Cabinet further approved following condolence Resolution in the profound memory of Manohar Parrikar:

“The Cabinet expresses profound sorrow at the sad demise of Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister of Goa in the evening of 17th March, 2019 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.