In the death of Goa’s Agriculture Minister and former chief minister Ravi Naik the state has lost a veteran leader of high calibre with decades of dedicated service to Goans. Naik served Goans in various capacities as MLA, Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Member of Parliament and as minister in the present government. However, he will be remembered for long for handling goondagiri in the nineties with an iron hand. It is learnt that he even put politicians behind bars. Many even today wanted Ravi Naik to return as the Home Minister. He was an astute minister who had his ear to the ground. He was considered a man of the masses and belonged to a rare breed of politicians of the past. Naik always served the people with a smile and sense of humour was his forte for which he will be remembered for long. He held critical portfolios in the government. His contribution to the state has been immense and his passing an irreparable loss. Naik was a seven-time MLA, a stalwart of Goan politics who was always close to the people of Goa. May his soul attain Moksha.
