Will continue his legacy: Manohar Parrikar’s sons hint at entering politics

Former Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar’s sons on Saturday hinted at joining politics to "continue the legacy" of their father, who served the nation and the state "till his very last" moments. In a statement released on Saturday, Parrikar’s sons Utpal and Abhijat said, “We will honour his life by continuing his legacy of service and dedication to the state and the nation.”

Quoting former British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, the statement said, “It is said the legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and inheritance of a great example.”

The duo said that Parrikar had a strong will and desire to serve the nation and the state and that he was occupied with issues of the state even though he was in his very last moments.

“My father lived everyday with vigour, a strong will and desire to serve the nation and the state. Till the very last, he was occupied with issues concerning the state,” the statement said praising Manohar Parrikar, who died on March 17 after a battling a pancreatic ailment for over a year.

“However, the sheer number of people, messages and letters we have received has made us feel we are part of a much bigger family that he has left behind,” the statement said.

The sons thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support during Parrikar’s illness and the armed forces for giving their father a military funeral, calling it “a moving ceremony”.

Parrikar was given military funeral at Miramar Beach on March 18. PM Modi, Union ministers had several other dignitaries had attended the funeral proceedings. On Friday, Utpal had said that he would take a decision about joining politics at the right time.