A fake message purportedly written by Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar while undergoing medical treatment in the U.S. is doing the rounds of social media.
New Delhi: A fake motivational message allegedly written by Goa Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar, about spending time and money on your loved ones is doing the rounds on social media.
Various versions of the same message went viral over the weekend after being shared widely on instant messaging app WhatsApp. However, the Chief Minister’s Office in Goa issued a statement Sunday clarifying that all such messages are “not authentic & mischievous”.
It has been observed that many messages are floating on social media, attributing it to the CM’s authorship. Such messages are not authentic & mischievous. All messages of CM @manoharparrikar will be communicated directly by him or through his verified social media handles only.
— CMO Goa (@goacm) March 25, 2018
The message says that material wealth and social success are devoid of any true meaning, and what truly matters is spending time with the people one loves. In the message, the writer says that “abundant political respect” has become synonymous with Parrikar’s name, but at the cost of other forms of enjoyment.
Today, in his “bedridden state”, the writer of the message says that popularity, wealth, and an “inflated ego” all appear meaningless as he stands “facing the death” (sic). The message continues in this mournful tone for a while, implying that Parrikar is writing this from his deathbed.
“At this critical moment, I have understood that there is so much more to life than accumulating wealth and fame,” the message states, before saying that social service and loving relationships are crucial to a good life.
“This bed of sickness is the most exclusive bed as nobody can use it except yourself. You can have servants, drivers, employees to serve and earn for you but none to share your sickness,” it says.
The message encourages the reader to take a step back from the “rat race” and understand that time is the one quality that cannot be regained once lost.
“When a child is born, he is weeping. When he dies, others are weeping. So friends, let’s have all the laughter and fun time in between before we call it a day,” it concludes.
While the message seems harmless enough, rumours about Parrikar being seriously unwell have been circulating along with the text.
Pramod Sawant, the Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker clarified on Sunday that the chief minister will begin the second phase of treatment Monday. He was asked to relay a message to the people of Goa from Parrikar himself, telling them not to believe in rumours about his health.
Sawant said that the these rumours are being spread by people with “vested interests”.
Parrikar was diagnosed with pancreatitis in February, and underwent treatment in Mumbai. He was discharged after a few days and presented the state budget on 21 February. He left for the U.S. for further treatment on 6 March.