Former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was awarded the Padma Bhushan posthumously for public affairs on Monday. The award was received by his son Utpal Parrikar.
Parrikar was four-time chief minister of Goa and former defence minister of the country. He succumbed to illness on March 17, 2019.
The central government had announced the names of Padma Awardees in January 2020. But due to Covid-19 protocols, the award was distributed on Monday.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said it is a moment of pride for Goa. "It's a moment of pride as Goa's beloved son, Former Defense Minister of India & Former CM of Goa Shri Manohar Parrikar was awarded the #PadmaBhushan posthumously. His son Shri @uparrikar received the honour at the hands of Hon'ble President Shri RamNath Kovind ji.
"It is truly an honour of the simple but visionary & dedicated life in service of the people & Nation. His visionary decisions took the state to new heights. He took landmark decisions as the Defense Minister that put India on the path of becoming a great power in the World," he tweeted.