Before Manohar Parrikar, 17 Chief Ministers from the country had died while in office. Manohar Parrikar, who died at his private residence on Sunday evening after a prolonged battle with pancreatic cancer, became India's 18th and Goa's second Chief Minister to die in office. Mr Parrikar, 63, was the first Bharatiya Janata Party leader to be Goa Chief Minister. He headed the state from 2000-05 and 2012-14, before joining the Narendra Modi government as Defence Minister from 2014 before returned to state politics in 2017 to lead a coalition government. Before Mr Parrikar, 17 Chief Ministers including Tamil Nadu's J Jayalalitha, Jammu and Kashmir's Sheikh Abdullah and Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, and Andhra Pradesh's YS Rajasekhara Reddy died in harness. Gopinath Bordoloi (Assam): The first Chief Minister of Assam, he worked closely with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to secure its sovereignty against China and Pakistan (as then East Pakistan bordered it) on the other before his death in 1950. Ravishankar Shukla (Madhya Pradesh): A freedom fighter who laid special emphasis on the uplift of women and was a staunch opponent of illiteracy, purdah and dowry system, he became the first Chief Minister of the central state in 1956 but died two months into his stint. Sri Krishna Singh (Bihar): The first Chief Minister of Bihar, Sinha held the post right from when Congress won the elections under British rule in 1937 to 1961, save the World War II period. Bidhan Chandra Roy (West Bengal): An eminent freedom fighter and qualified doctor, he was the second Chief Minister of West Bengal. After Independence, the Congress proposed his name as the state's Chief Minister but he declined since he was more dedicated to his medical profession. However, on Mahatma Gandhi's insistence, he accepted the position in January 1948 and held the post until his death in 1962. Marotrao Kannamwar (Mahrashtra): The second Chief Minister of the newly-created state, he succeeded YB Chavan in 1962 but died after a stint of only one year and four days. Balwantrai Mehta (Gujarat): Succeeding Jivraj Narayan Mehta as Chief Minister on February 25, 1963, Jivraj Narayan Mehta is the only Indian Chief Minister to become a war casualty. During the 1965 India-Pakistani War, his civilian aircraft was shot down by the Pakistan Air Force on September 19, 1965 as he was returning from a border area, killing him and all others aboard. CN Annadurai (Madras/Tamil Nadu): Popularly known as 'Anna', he left an indelible mark not only on Tamil politics and society, but also national politics. The fifth and last Chief Minister of Madras from 1967 until 1969, he became the first Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu when the name of the state was changed but only held the post for 20 days. Annadurai, who had travelled to New York for medical treatment for cancer in September 1968 and underwent an operation, returned to Chennai in November and continued to attend official functions against medical advice. His health deteriorated further and he died in February 1969. Dayanand Bandodkar (Goa): Popularly known as Bhausaheb Bandodkar, he was Goa's first Chief Minister after liberation from Portuguese rule. He swept the polls in 1963, 1967 and in 1972 at the head of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and remained in power until his death in 1973. Barkatullah Khan (Rajasthan): The only Muslim Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Mr Khan died of a heart attack while in office, at 53 years. He was Chief Minister from July 9, 1971 to October 11, 1973. Sheikh Abdullah (Jammu and Kashmir): Known as "Sher-e-Kashmir", Mr Abdullah was the founder of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and held the post of Chief Minister three times between Jammu and Kashmir's accession to India and the early 1980s, amid a turbulent relationship with the Central government and several spells of imprisonment. He was in power when he died in 1982. MG Ramachandran (Tamil Nadu): Popularly known as MGR, he dominated Tamil films and politics. The first film actor to become a Chief Minister, he headed Tamil Nadu for 10 years from 1977, save a six-month interregnum in 1980 when his government was dismissed by the Centre, till his death in 1987. Chimanbhai Patel (Gujarat): Replacing Ghanshyam Oza as Chief Minister in July 1973, he only served in office till February 9, 1974 being forced out of office by the 'Nav Nirman' movement on charges of corruption. He again became the Chief Minister on March 4, 1990 as a part of the VP Singh-led National Front but later switched over the the Congress, and continued in power till his death on February 17, 1994. Beant Singh (Punjab): Credited with stamping out militancy in Punjab after becoming Chief Minister in 1992, he was assassinated when a suicide attack at the Secretariat building in Chandigarh on August 31, 1995. YS Rajasekhara Reddy (Andhra Pradesh): Popularly known as YSR, Mr Reddy was a two-time Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh (2004-2009). However, early in his second stint, his helicopter crashed in a dense forest in Chitoor district on September 3, 2009. Dorjee Khandu (Arunachal Pradesh): He became the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh replacing Gegong Apang in 2007. He was again sworn as Chief Minister in October 2009 but died on April 30, 2011 when the helicopter in which he was returning to Itanagar from a trip to Tawang crashed. Mufti Mohammad Sayeed (Jammu and Kashmir): A two-time Chief Minister, Mr Sayeed, who led the first coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir involving the BJP, died on January 7, 2016. India's first Muslim Home Minister in the VP Singh government, Mr Sayeed became Chief Minister for the first time in 2002-05 in a coalition government with the Congress. In his second stint, he allied with the BJP to become the chief minister. J Jayalalitha (Tamil Nadu): Jayalalithaa, who died on December 5, 2016 in her fifth stint as Chief Minister, held the post for over 14 years between 1991 and 2016. Affectionately called "Amma" by fans and party activists, Jayalalithaa became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in 1991.<doc-sep>Parrikar was often praised for being "clean" or not corrupt, and was widely seen as someone who brought stability to Goa's politics - the state has had a string of unsteady coalition governments for decades. Parrikar himself had been chief minister thrice before but had never completed a full five-year term.<doc-sep>Manohar Parrikar, 63, died on Sunday at his residence in Goa, India. He had been suffering from cancer. Parrikar was serving chief minister of the western state of Goa. NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's former defense minister and serving chief minister of the western state of Goa, Manohar Parrikar, died on Sunday, officials said. A technocrat turned politician, 63-year-old Parrikar was a senior member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He had been suffering from cancer. "Extremely sorry to hear of the passing of Shri Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister of Goa, after an illness borne with fortitude and dignity," Indian President Ramnath Kovind tweeted on Sunday. Parrikar passed away at his residence in Goa, local news channels reported. As defense minister, he oversaw the controversial deal to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation for around $8.7 billion, the country's first major acquisition of combat planes in two decades. The deal has been the center of allegations from India's main opposition party, Congress, that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government paid too much and that it forced Dassault to accept Indian businessman Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence as its Indian partner even though the company had no such prior experience in defense contracting. Dassault has defended the pricing and denied it was forced to pick Reliance as a partner. Ambani has previously said that the Congress party has been misled and misinformed by corporate rivals and vested interests. "India will be eternally grateful to Shri Manohar Parrikar for his tenure as our Defence Minister ... India witnessed a series of decisions that enhanced India's security capacities, boosted indigenous defense production and bettered the lives of ex-servicemen," Prime Minister Modi tweeted.<doc-sep>Dr P Jagannath in By Invitation (The writer is chairman, department of surgical oncology, Lilavati Hospital) Goa CM Manohar Parrikar no more, crowd gathers outside his residence to pay last respect I was informed that a VVIP from Goa is likely to come to Lilavati Hospital. He had pain in the abdomen and they were suspecting ‘pancreatic pathology’. The hospital duly geared up and the VVIP walked in smiling. That was Manohar Parrikar . He was in excellent health, hardly looking sick. I was distressed in the even­ing that marker came positive. He did have a ‘pancreatic lesion’. Unfortunately, pan­creatic lesions rarely have early symptoms.I had profound re­spect for Parrikar, not because he was a for­mer defence minister or the serving chief minister of Goa, but because he was an honest, hardworking, “peoples’ politician”. It is very rare to find such upright leaders. He had an excellent academic background of IIT. Everyone in Goa loved him and I was inundated with calls and to the dismay of many, no information was divulged. We got the confirmation and started the treat­ment for a pancreatic ailment. He re­sponded well and tolerated treat­ment.Whilst he was admitted, Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to visit him at the hospital. The Prime Minister was clearly unhappy that one of his trusted younger colleagues has this prob­lem. Parrikar told him with a smile that his only desire is to serve peo­ple of Goa. The PM told us that the best in the world has to be done for Parrikar. As president of the IHPBA (In­ternational Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary As­sociation), I had friends in Memorial Sloan Kettering, who immediately agreed to treat. Mr Parrikar was flown to New York. Things seemed to be under control and he came back.He was never out of touch with the af­fairs of the state. In spite of being in the hospital, he ran a full day of office work with his staff in the hospital. When I went to New York to meet him, I saw a similar arrangement of his getting information and passing necessary instructions back to Goa. Whenever outside, he was very keen on going back to Goa, as he really missed Goan fish curry. It is remarkable that in spite of his status that he clearly knew, not once did he express any disap­pointment or pain. Most of the patients ask, “Why?”, “Why me?”, “Why is God so unkind to me?” Parrikar, on the other hand, took it in his stride and said, “I never give up. Until the last day, I will spend in public service”. During one of the admissions, he said that he had to go immediately be­cause he had to present the budget in the assembly. We were hesitant, but his will power was so strong that he not only man­aged to travel but also presented the budg­et as scheduled.He was in AIIMS for similar treatment. It was also a difficult period as there had to be a tube in the nose to decompress in­testine. Recently, he was seen going about his official duties even with the tube in the nose and his nutrition being maintained by intravenous tubes. I have yet to come across such a strong-willed and positive person from any walk of life.We discussed the state cancer centre in Goa Medical College and he was keen on its completion. I sought help from the Tata Trusts for the same. It would be appropriate to name the state cancer centre after Mano­har Parrikar. He made a difference to all those people he has touched, both directly and indirectly.I saw many with the courage to face adversity,I saw some with the courage to face the inevitable outcome,I saw only him with the courage to smile in the face of inevitable.We will always remember him as a man who fought the toughest war bravely even after knowing the outcome.<doc-sep>
March 18, 2019 5 min read You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. The saddening demise of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has left a vacuum in the political demographics of India. After fighting a prolonged battle with Pancreatic Cancer, the pro-people politician succumbed to the deadly disease and breathed his last on March 17, 2019. Even during his last days, he discharged his duties like a true soldier. Touted as Goa’s favourite son, the 63-year-old was serving his fourth term as the state’s Chief Minister. The minister not only played an instrumental role in building modern Goa but also rolled out a series of decisions that enhanced India’s security capacities, boosted indigenous defence production and bettered the lives of ex-servicemen during his tenure as the nation’s Defence Minister. Technocrat-turned-politician Born to a humble middle-class family on December 13, 1955, in Goa, Parrikar was the first IIT alumnus to serve as MLA of an Indian state. His association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) goes way back. Having joined the organization at a young age, Parrikar had deep-rooted respect for the union and hence, came back to join RSS after his graduation in metallurgical engineering from IIT Bombay. Serving as the Pracharak of RSS, he established a private business by setting up a pneumatic pump making unit in Goa. His tryst with active politics began in 1994 when he won from Panaji constituency on BJP ticket. Despite being a leader of the opposition, Parrikar became the face of Goa, courtesy his impactful speeches against the Congress. Common Man’s CM Not the flashing red beacon light above his car but his bicycle’s bell defined the revolutionary Chief Minister. His stronghold on Goan culture and population helped him in throwing over Congress from power in 2000. In the state which was called Indian National Congress’ battalion, Parrikar became the first BJP CM. While most politicians took pride in parading around security guards wherever they go, Parrikar promoted the ‘No VVIP’ culture. He’d often be seen riding a bicycle on the beaches of his home turf without his security detail. His signature look – a casual short-sleeved shirt coupled with trousers and floaters established him as a Common Man’s Chief Minister. The Defender His historic victory in 2012 Goa Assembly Elections with 21 out of 40 seats, Parrikar gained serious acknowledgement from the BJP high-commands and when the party came in power, he was offered a ministerial berth in November 2014. He joined Narendra Modi’s cabinet as the defence ministry and straight-jacketed by long unresolved issues through his quick and transparent decision making. While leading the defence ministry, he sought to pursue realistic ambitions and prioritise operational readiness of the armed forces. The politician rolled out the first instalment of OROP - One Rank One Pension, oversaw major defence contracts, including the controversial Rafale deal and allowed the armed forces to conduct surgical strikes across both the ‘original’ common man of Indian politics, Manohar Parrikar was the epitome of integrity and dedication in public service. BJP’s Crisis Man The favourite politician of India’s smallest state was pulled back from the cabinet to save BJP’s sinking boat in Goa after the 2017 Assembly Elections when both Congress and BJP failed to file majority. He brought together a near impossible coalition with his exceptional administration skills and led the alliance with MGP, GFP & independent candidate as the Fourth-time Goa CM. With Parrikar at the helm, Goa witnessed roads getting built, water and power supply being improved and many social welfare schemes being launched. In February 2018, the tallest BJP leader from Goa was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had been in and out of the hospital ever since. Even during his treatment, he was seen presenting the state budget with a tube in his nose. Pouring Condolences Paying a heartfelt tribute to Parrikar, President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted, “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.” The President of Indian National Congress, Rahul Gandhi also expressed his sorrow along the lines, “Respected and admired across party lines, he was one of Goa’s favourite sons.” Calling Parrikar an unparalleled leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote, “His impeccable service to the nation will be remembered by generations.” Till the Last Breath...