MANOHAR PARRIKAR
13 Dec 1955 - 17 MAR 2019
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MATANHY SALDANHA
24 Oct 1948 - 21 March 2012
VASCO: Two best of friends who passed away in the same month and at 63 years of age had much more in common. Both Manohar Parrikar and Matanhy Saldanha were sitting legislators and in the cabinet at the time of their demise, were fiercely loyal to Goa and Goans, and worked till the very end of their lives. Speaking to The Goan on Wednesday, the eve of Matanhy's seventh death anniversary, Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha looked back at the close bonds of friendship shared by her late husband and late Manohar Parrikar, who passed away on March 17.
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ON THEIR FRIENDSHIP
Their friendship was based on loyalty, sincerity and mutual admiration for each other. It was mutual admiration for each other that made them best of friends.
In 2004, when the govt led by Parrikar had to prove majority on the floor of the House, Matanhy specially flew back from an official overseas trip to extend support to Parrikar. Matanhy was eager to support the Govt because Parrikar was the only minister who would go through every detail of the file and make the best judgment in the interest of Goa.
Matanhy admired Parrikar so much so that despite being issued a whip by UGDP, he still voted for the Govt led by Parrikar. The speaker later upheld the whip and prevented Matanhy from either speaking or voting in the House. I think this sacrifice by Matanhy for the Govt and his loyalty to Parrikar got the two personalities together.
It is since then that the two became the best of friends. I remember that Matanhy would always say that it was a pleasure to work with Parrikar because he studied the files in detail and came to concrete conclusions. This mutual admiration lasted till the end.
Parrikar too had great admiration for Matanhy's sincerity. Parrikar once told me that some funds were provided to Matanhy for contesting elections. Matanhy later visited the BJP office with entire details of expenditure supported by bills. Not only that, Matanhy returned the balance amount to BJP. This was their mutual respect and admiration.
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ON MATANHY'S DEATH
Parrikar was present in hospital all through and by the bedside of Matanhy till his last breath. When Matanhy took ill and taken to hospital in the wee hours, Parrikar arrived within 15 minutes. Being the chief minister, Parrikar was the only one who was allowed to be by the bedside and I could see him coming on an off, phoning different doctors till Matanhy breathed his last. He also waited for Matanhy to be taken to a morgue and was seen in tears and went back only at dawn.
I remember Parrikar saying that he had cried only on two occasions, once when he lost his wife and the second when he lost his good friend Matanhy.
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ON THEIR SIMILARITIES
Both leaders were workaholics and put work before self interests. I think their foundation was based on loyalty, sincerity and hard work. Being wife of Matanhy and working with Parrikar, I have been able to see a lot of similarities. Both the leaders were workaholics and had immense love for Goa. They always worked for the benefit of a large number of people.
Both worked through late hours at night and had one common habit -- no rest till a file taken up is cleared. Both worked till their last breath and their love for Goans was immense. Both were frank and always worked for every section of the society. But were people's leaders and passionate about Goa and it was this that drove them to give their best for the people of Goa.
People were awestruck by their simplicity. I think both were so simple despite holding high positions. They never spent time thinking on dressing up for the occasions. I also feel that both these leader friends may be looking down from Heaven at Goa with a smile and though it is not easy, with inspiration from them them the Govt of today will do its best to follow in their footsteps and perform well.
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ON THEIR DISAGREEMENTS
I never ever remember any disagreement between them. The foundation of friendship was very strong. They never ever had any disagreement and even if they had a difference of opinion on any subject, both would talk in detail to explain why they felt so and in no time both would understand each other and come to a consensus while appreciating each other for thinking differently.
