Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji (MS)

Panaji, Dec 13: “Bhai was a larger than life figure. We are commemorating his birth anniversary today. He spent his life in the service of Goans,” said Pramod Sawant, CM of Goa.

Sawant further said, “From a party with just four seats in the 1990s Bhai brought stability and continuity to Goa. He formed a formidable team with other functionaries like Rajendra Arlekar, Laxmikant Parsekar and Shripad Naik. He was the first IITian to serve both as MLA and CM of a state of India.

“Bhai had the rare ability of identifying capable individuals and grooming them into leaders. He even revolutionised the defence system of the country when he was the union minister for defence in 2016. He saw the capability of General Bipin Rawat and appointed him as CDS superseding three other senior military officers.

“Bhai thought only of country and state and nothing else. I am fortunate to have worked with him closely. He was always guiding me and encouraging me. Because of his faith in me, though I was just a two-time MLA, I was appointed as speaker of the house.

“There can never be another Manohar Bhai, a true, proud Goan and model son of India.”