The news of the demise of former Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Ravi Sitaram Naik due to a cardiac arrest in the early hours of Wednesday came like a rude shock for most Goans.
Naik was a simple, humble, soft-spoken and a highly respected Bahujan Samaj leader who worked tirelessly to uplift/empower the downtrodden and marginalised after serving for decades in political circles in Goa. Despite of joining the BJP, Naik was never ever heard making a single controversial statement against the minorities or spreading hatred on religious lines but on the contrary was seen trying to unite Goans throughout his life and that was the uniqueness of this great leader. He was known for habitually cracking simple jokes and making everyone laugh when questioned over variety of issues inside and outside the Goa Assembly. I think that Ravi Naik will forever be remembered for being the only Goan CM who dared to order a crackdown and put all anti-social elements of the late eighties behind bars during his tenure. My salute to this great leader. Rest in peace Ravi Naik.
