Goa CM Manohar Parrikar passes away at 63 after battling pancreatic cancer

Goa Chief Minister and former defence minister Manohar Parrikar—who was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer last February and whose health has been critical for more than a year now—passed away on Sunday evening at the age of 63.

According to CNBC TV18, Parrikar had been on life support system since late Saturday night. His condition turned “extremely critical” on Sunday.

The Centre has announced March 18 (Monday) as a national mourning day following Parrikar’s demise and a state funeral will be accorded to Parrikar.

Parrikar was born on December 13, 1955, into a middle-class family and his political career began as an RSS pracharak. He continued working for the RSS even after graduating from IIT-Bombay as a metallurgical engineer. He entered electoral politics for the first time in 1994 when he won a BJP ticket from Panaji constituency and became the Goa’s CM for the first time on October 23, 2000. However, his tenure lasted only till February 27, 2002, but was re-elected on June 5, 2002, and served another term as Chief Minister.

Most Indian English newspapers carried the report of Parrikar’s demise on their front pages, with a backdrop of the current political situation in Goa. The Times of India published a story  “Parrikar, 4-time Goa CM and ex-defence minister, no more” while DNA described it as “Gloom grips Goa as Parrikar dies at 63.” The Indian Express published a story on their front page “CM Parrikar loses his battle with cancer; Goa in political turmoil.” Hindustan Times ran a straightforward “Goa Chief Minister Parrikar dies at 63” as their top story on the front page.