What are some facts about Manohar Parrikar?

Manohar Parrikar leaves his unparalleled legacy in Indian politics who will always be remembered for his clean image, outspoken style, and smart leadership. And, in India, "clean image" isn’t in the vocabulary of the majority of the politicians.

Here are some of the known and less-known facts aboutManohar Parrikar:

1. He is India's first IITian Chief Minister. Yes, before Arvind Kejriwal made it cool for IIT alumnus to lead states, Manohar Parrikar was already on the scene. He took the office as CM of Goa for the first time in 2000. He was a Metallurgical engineering graduate from IIT, Mumbai.

2. He started his political career as an RSS pracharak while he was in college. He became a Sangh Sanchalak at the age of 26.

3. Since the beginning of his career, he has been a part of many movements including Ram Janambhoomi between 1985 and 1991.

4. Manohar Parrikar was one of the first BJP leaders to publicly come out in support of Narendra Modi for the PM spot in 2013. In doing so, he may have very well upset senior leader Advani, who was also trying to bid for the role of Prime Minister. This was another fine example of Parrikar's blunt and outspoken attitude, for which he will always be remembered for.

5. He served as India's Defense Minister under Modi government from November 2014. In his tenure, the Indian army went for the first surgical strike against Pakistan-based terrorists following the Uri attack that killed dozens of Jawans.

6. In 2000, his wife, too, passed away due to cancer. He is survived by two sons: Utpal Parrikar and Abhijat Parrikar.

(Courtesy: MSN)

7. He is the four-time Goa Chief Minister between 2000-2002, 2002-2005, 2012-2014, and 2017-2018.

8. One of the rarest controversies he has up his sleeve is Rafael deal. The deal was signed under his tenure when he was leading the Defense Ministry.

9. Manohar Parrikar didn’t take government benefits. He would live in his ancestral house. He traveled in an Innova car rather than a luxury SUV, which the majority of ministers and politicians demand and use. He always flew economy class. He used to pay his personal mobile bill from his pocket.

10. The biggest splash he made in Indian politics was when he eliminated Goa's illegal mining racket, canceling licenses of many traders.

These are some known and less-known facts about Manohar Parrikar. Wishing good in people's death is a tradition. However, all the good things that you will hear about Manohar Parrikar, he truly and genuinely deserves all.

(Courtesy: BBC)

May he rest in peace .. and that his legacy is closely followed by other politicians and ministers.

(And hopefully, the political parties don’t use his demise in their political campaigns! And that Manohar Parrikar death doesn't come in way of Rafael Deal case.)