Manohar Parrikar at 60: A new Chapter begins (by CCP Councillor Bharati Heble)
It was sometime in November 2014. Manohar Parrikar, then Chief Minister of our State, was in New Delhi when news first poured in he was going to be elevated as Defence Minister of our Country. For our tiny state, it was a prestigious moment. The first time one of our political leaders would take up a position so high in the Union Ministry. Ironically, for some time, there was despondency and gloom among his supporters. Perhaps naturally, with fears looming that the glorious innings of Manohar bab, the supreme leader of the BJP in Goa and the party’s most vocal face in the Assembly, would soon come to an end. The feeling was that of disbelief, something like when a sporting icon retires at the top of his game and fans ask, “Why now”. Not many of his supporters realized how huge a moment this was for Goa and Goans as the huge news did not yet sink in. Next day, the moment came when bhai, as he’s fondly called, came back to Goa. We were informed he would address Panaji karyakartas at Mahalaxmi Trust Office in Panaji and everyone rushed there. My younger son gave me a bouquet to welcome bhai but I was in a state of shock & disbelief, as were so many others who had gathered there. Our faces crestfallen and tears in eyes. “This is such a sad moment for us and you are going to give a bouquet, what would bhai think? Do we want him to leave Goa”, they all felt in unison. I too was reluctant and caught in two minds. Nobody else had brought flowers; I was the odd one out and felt very nervous. But with my son coercing and pestering me, I had very little choice. “If bhai does say something, just say the flowers are for him for becoming a grandfather”, were my son’s words to give me some confidence. I greeted bhai with the bouquet just before he addressed us all. Bhai smiled. The media was there. The karyakartas were there. Everybody smiled back, clapped and cheered. The magic of bhai’s smile and persona had done wonders of instantly changing the mood of the karyakartas from despondency to jubilation. From tears of sorrow, there were now tears of joy. Later, bhai addressed the karyakartas and explained the reasons and circumstances under which Narendra Modi-ji wanted him in New Delhi. The Defence Ministry had come to a virtual standstill and the Prime Minister wanted a dedicated and trusted person having good administrative abilities and skills to do justice to the Ministry and the Nation. Bhai assured us that though he would be going to the Centre, his heart would always be here in Goa, a promise which he has kept ever since, much to our delight. After his address, bhai made a point to spend some quality time with his well-wishers. He took a selfie with every single karyakarta who was there, which they proudly uploaded as their profile pictures on Facebook & Whatsapp. For next few days, his elevation became the most favourite topic of discussion on social networking groups with few discussing anything else. Manoharbhai was sworn in as the Country’s new defence Minister few days later. On his arrival from New Delhi for the first time in Goa as a Defence Minister, there was an atmosphere of excitement and hysteria all around. From airport to the route leading up to the BJP head office in Panaji, well-wishers and legions of his fans from all across Goa gathered spontaneously to have a glimpse of him and to wish him. His prestigious elevation was now just about sinking in as hundreds assembled to greet him, gleaming with pride, waving out flags and chanting slogans. The simple and humble “aamcho bhai” had now become a political rock star with a cult like status around him as the celebrations began. In Goa’s political arena, Manohar Parrikar, will undoubtedly be its tallest leaders who has few parallels. An IIT Graduate, he led the BJP’s 2012 Assembly elections campaign which not many thought the party would win. At a time when money and muscle power were considered as essential ingredients to win or lose elections, it was Bhai’s charm and charisma that took the party to an unprecedented victory and form the present Government, the first time it had reached the simple majority mark in our history. Manoharbhai changed the very complexion of governance in Goa giving good governance an entirely new dimension and meaning. His tenure as Goa’s Chief Minister from 2000 to 2005 will undoubtedly rank as its best in history, when he demonstrated how doing what is right is more important than doing what is popular. In this period, through his zeal, focus, sincerity, simplicity, honesty and dedication, he achieved wonders for our state. There was a monumental change in functioning of Government Departments which were otherwise known to work in a tardy and lethargic manner. Files began moving swiftly and development works, from roads to bridges to infrastructure, were created at a rapid pace. Many schemes were introduced for the benefit and welfare of the common citizens. His present tenure may have been cut short with his elevation; but Goa’s loss has been the Nation's gain. Within a short span of time, there has been a substantial turnaround in the Defence Ministry’s functioning, the implementation of the OROP pension scheme, lingering previously for many years, being one of the many highpoints. December 13, 2015 will be another important milestone in bhai’s illustrious career as he turns 60. As someone who’s lived his life with simplicity, it would hardly matter to him if his birthday is celebrated or not. But to the party and to his well-wishers, it means a lot. Manohar Parrikar has been an eloquent and accomplished speaker and performer who’s shown us how works can and should be done. His firmness, pragmatic approach, work ethics, sincerity, honesty and integrity are qualities which need to be admired. His 60th birthday will give Goa a sense of direction, inspiring and motivating well-wishers as Goa heads towards Assembly elections in 2017. Here’s wishing Manohar Parrikar all the very best in health, happiness and success as he continues to serve the State and the Nation in the years ahead. Cheers to our beloved Manohar bab as a new chapter in his life begins! (The writer Bharati Heble is a retired School Teacher and Councillor, Ward 13 – Corporation of the City of Panaji) Pic: https://plus.google.com/u/0/111025977038707628404/posts/Q2KWjdkHQbt?pid=6079329986555933474&oid=111025977038707628404