Flowing from the chimney are instances how over the years Manohar Parrikar
egoistically hurt and let down a lot of innocent souls. Like toilet paper
he has disrespectfully rubbed, scrubbed and thrown away many whom he
selfishly used.
One of them is Shekar Narayan Sawant who for the last 20 long years was
Manohar Parrikar’s very die-hard Karyakarta who actively toiled through all
his election campaigns. The son of a former police officer the 42 year old
Shekar who also lost his mother two years ago, lived along with his
handicapped and mentally challenged younger brother Vidyadhar at the police
quarters at Althinho in Panaji. Vidyadhar’s care and well-being was always
Shekar’s great concern.
The very kind and always well mannered Shekar was a graduate and over the
last few years worked as a receptionist at Hotel Arcadia on Panaji’s
M.G.Road. Over the years Manohar Parrikar kept assuring Shekar of a
government job which on merits and his aptitude he anyway deserved. The
very down to earth Shekar did not even own a two-wheeler and walked his way
through the city. He was looking forward to that government job so that he
could enter into matrimony. But his destiny had it all otherwise.
On December 27th late night Shekar was rushed to Goa Medical College on
account of chest pain and within hours he passed away. It is reported that
just a few days earlier he had called on his ‘bhai’ with a call letter he
had received for a LDC’s post. But and true to his style, Manohar
Parrikar arrogantly rebuked and humiliated Shekar and even tore to pieces
that call letter. A distraught and heartbroken Shekar later narrated to his
friends the humiliating treatment he received from Manohar Parrikar whom he
had loyally and dedicatedly served all these years. Manohar Parrikar should
have realized that fulfilling the promise made to Shekar had to be
a priority because the educated and qualified Shekar was struggling to
make ends meet and more so had a major responsibility of caring for a very
handicapped brother.
On that 28th December though Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar was very
much in Goa but possibly out of guilt did not even care to attend the
cremation of his very faithful karyakarta Shekar which was held in his
native village at Pirna. Incidentally Shekar’s family house in Pirna is
just opposite the residence of Satish Dhond the BJP’s de-facto Patriarch in
Goa. But he too reportedly never cared to lend Shekar a helping hand.
Shekar was a kind soul from the Bahujan Samaj. Had he been a mine owner,
builder, Casino operator or from the affluent community, Manohar Parrikar
would have been at his feet and prominently photographed at the funeral.
The harrowing indignation and humiliation that Shekar had to endure
despite that two decade long loyalty to Manohar Parrikar should act as an
eye opener to others. How can someone who miserably failed to defend his
own lieutenant now defend the nation?
It’s over a month that Shekar is no more. All who knew him miss him dearly.
However though the person who should have cared for him the most dared
abandon him, but let us keep Shekar in our thoughts and also pray that his
unfortunate younger brother Vidyadhar may be able to cope on with life
without Shekar around who was his only caregiver and companion.
To the Honourable Defence Minister of India Manohar Parrikar, all that I
can say is that over the last few years I stopped being proud of you. Today
with the manner in which you have dealt with Shekar, any sensible man would
be ashamed of you.
Aires Rodrigues
Advocate High Court
C/G-2, Shopping Complex
Ribandar Retreat,
Ribandar – Goa – 403006
Mobile No: 9822684372
Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012
Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com
Or
airesrodrig...@yahoo.com
You can also reach me on
Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues
Twitter@rodrigues_aires
