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Manohar - One who could win hearts and minds




They say that it is easy to defeat anyone, winning people over is the most difficult thing to do. Manohar Parrikar true to his name dedicated his life to winning people over.

My first interaction with Manohar Parikkar was 5 years ago. Elections had been announced and Manohar Parikkar was asked to address IT professionals living in and around Outer Ring Road in Bangalore. New Horizon College was the venue. On that lazy Sunday, I managed to show up at the venue 15 before time. Politicians are known to arrive late but Manohar Parrikar was already there mingling with the IT crowd.

He speech consisted of 2-3 stories with foksy humor and wisdom. He wanted the IT crowd to engage in politics, to participate in nation building, I still remember his story

"Once upon a time, Goa was known for the best watermelons. Every year post the harvest season, farmers in every village would invite people to taste the best watermelons for free. There was only one condition, they had to spit out the seeds in a basket. This annual tasting went on for generations.

One fine day, someone smart reasoned that it is a waste to give away the best of watermelons. They decided to export the best watermelons and inferior watermelons were provided for the annual village festival. In due course, the quality of watermelon produce declined and Goa is no longer famous for watermelons"

Manohar's message was simple..best seeds can only produce the best crop. Politics is no different, young educated minds are the seeds of good politics.

Till I met Manohar Parikkar, I believed that a well educated, well read, humble, honest and soft-spoken person had no place in the dirty murky world of politics. Politicians needed to be of type Alpha and Manohar Parrikar was type Zen.

Graceful and dignified in speech, Manohar had a fire in the belly, worked tirelessly and always kept a cool head. In the world of politics, he was a breath of fresh air.

As I left the New Horizon Collge that day, I decided to actively participate in the 2014 election. Driving back, a thought crossed my mind - if I had to be a politician, I would prefer to be a Manohar Parikkar.

Thank You Manohar Parikkar, in life, you won hearts and minds. In death, you continue to inspire us.

Om Shanti !!




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