by Nandkumar Kamat / www.navhindtimes.com
BEING a simpleton, he would not like to celebrate it but today is the 49th birthday of the Chief Minister of Goa, Mr Manohar Parrikar. He has worked tirelessly for the success of the International Film Festival of India in Goa for the past one year. The BJP�s national executive has recognised his achievement by electing him as the chairperson of the development committee of BJP-ruled states. This is the first such honour for a chief minister of Goa in our post-liberation political history. Mr Parrikar would now advise four states, larger than Goa, on development.
Mr Parrikar likes to face challenges. There were skeptics who had painted a scenario of disaster during IFFI. But more than half a million Goans who had thronged to Campal and had made it a people�s film festival proved them false. Mr Parrikar has created history with the success of IFFI. He would now aim to build on this success, provided his efforts are not sabotaged. There are certain personal qualities which make Mr Parrikar an exceptional politician. He leads a disciplined, spartan lifestyle. His personal needs are lesser than a Gandhian. He is addicted to work. He has the ability to pay attention to the minutest of details. He has the habit of leading by personal example in a true managerial style. He is at ease at any place and in any crowd.
I have just returned after hearing his down to earth speech at Bio Goa, 2004 seminar on biotechnology. He especially air-dashed to Goa to make it to the valedictory function. The tiredness was showing on his face. He must not have had adequate sleep. But he was totally at ease. What is the force that drives him? Or the source of his motivation? Mr Parrikar is a workaholic. His day ends at midnight and the next one begins at dawn.
When I met him last time I was sorry to see the deep cracks and fissures on his feet �a sign that he has been walking frequently on rough surfaces for myriads of personal inspections which he carried out. In July, on a warm and humid Sunday afternoon, he had joined us to personally inspect the sorry state of the St Inez nullah in Panaji. We learnt before he left after the inspection, that he was running a viral fever but he decided to keep the Sunday appointment to avoid misunderstandings.
People in Aldona have seen him frequently visiting the Khorjuem bridge under construction. The bridge is a gem of cable stayed steel framework engineering. Basically, such inspections are not a chief minister�s priorities. But Mr Parrikar is conscious of people�s expectations. He does not want to be remembered for sub-standard projects. This professional approach tells you something about Mr Parrikar as an IITian. He was nursed by RSS and empowered by IIT-Mumbai. Knowledge of science, technology and engineering has immensely helped Mr Parrikar in steering the developmental projects in the state.
But does Mr Parrikar have autocratic, dictatorial tendencies? Is he a self-righteous politician? He has attracted a lot of criticism for his style of functioning. But my honest assessment is that Mr Parrikar, at heart is basically a very warm, sentimental introvert. He is impatient with inefficiency. He has no time for generalities or small talk. He works out solutions first before the questions are discussed. He does his homework well. He still finds time for reading. I was not surprised that he picked up Da Vinci Code, the novel that has steered the world, for leisurely reading.
Mr Parrikar is flexible and accommodative to a point. His simplicity is touching. At the party on Khorjuem bridge during IFFI, as the chairs fell short of requirement, he personally brought, lifted and arranged the extra chairs for the guests. There are people who have commented on his dress. Who are they to decide what the CM of the state should wear for formal or informal occasions? On the contrary they should be proud that Mr Parrikar is a true Gandhian in his lifestyle and he does not care for self-grooming.
Mr Parrikar is so meticulous in his personal ethics that he drops his son to his higher secondary school in his personal car whenever he finds time to do so. It is a common sight for people in Mapusa to watch the son of the Chief Minister walking to his institution like any other student. The loss of his beloved wife was a great personal tragedy leaving behind a huge vaccum in his life. Now Mr Parrikar has fully immersed himself in the work. Perhaps the work makes him forget the loss, the sudden loneliness which could have overwhelmed any sensitive human being.
Before hosting the IFFI, Mr Parrikar was subjected to humiliating criticism. Short of actually sabotaging the film festival, every trick was tried. But ultimately, the overwhelming support of the delegates and the thousands of cultured people of Goa ensured that his critics were silenced. Almost every film personality showered praises on him and Mr Parrikar accepted these with grace and humility on behalf of this wonderful state. Mr Parrikar considers himself an instrument of destiny because he is a staunch believer in the philosophy of Nishkam Karmayoga as enshrined in the Bhagvadgeeta. In politics, he would have jealousies, enemies, critics, opponents, competitors. But he has to accept the realities associated with power.
So far, Mr Parrikar has made successful moves on the chessboard of politics. He has triumphed in the psychological warfare � the attempts to demoralise him. The Poinguinim by-election verdict was a personal triumph for his charisma. The success of IFFI is the crowning glory of his political career. He has raised people�s expectations. Other parts of Goa which were not so lucky to benefit from projects which were launched during IFFI, naturally feel left out. All these issues have to be addressed now.
As a chief minister, I have found that Mr Parrikar has an open mind to constructive suggestions. He readily accepted my appeal made in July 2004 to find suitable employment for the International footballer, Mr Bruno Coutinho. The SAG has honourably hired Mr Coutinho. It was a pleasure to work with his ministers to draft the cultural and biotech policies of Goa.
Through his charismatic leadership, Mr Parrikar has served as a role model for his cabinet and his officers. He has a huge following among the youth of Goa. India has not yet produced a perfect politician or chief minister. Leaving aside differences, it is time to wish our CM, good health and success. Let him rise as a true statesman of national stature in the years to come.
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Happy Birthday Shri Manohar Parrikar!
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