George Fernandes: Tributes pour in for ‘fighter’ for common people who wanted to be reborn as a Vietnamese

"If there is a rebirth, I would like to be born as a Vietnamese," the late leader George Fernandes had once said.

Addressing the annual conference of Karnataka Planters Association about one and half decades ago in Bengaluru when he was the Defence Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee cabinet, the Mangaluru-born described Vietnamese people as a disciplined, committed and determined lot.

Noting that Vietnam had a large share of the world coffee market, he remarked: "I am not grudging that; I am an admirer of Vietnam", and heaped praise on the Southeast Asian country and its people for their rapid progress, "If there is a rebirth, I would like to be born as a Vietnamese", Fernandes said. They are ready to die for their commitment."

Fernandes had said he was India's first Defence Minister to have visited Vietnam. He noted that three million Vietnamese had been killed in conflicts with the US, France and China.

He cited Vietnam as an example as to how a country can be determined and innovative and think 100 years ahead.

Fernandes passed away on Tuesday after a prolonged illness.

Tributes poured in from the different MPs, who fondly remembered him for his contributions as India’s trade union leader and Defence Minister.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said it is a great loss for the country, politically as well as intellectually and condoled the demise of former defence minister George Fernandes.

"Deeply saddened at passing away of former Union minister and stalwart leader George Fernandes. It is a great loss for the nation, both politically as well as intellectually," Patnaik wrote on Twitter.

"Pray for his soul to rest in peace and my condolences for his family and followers," he said.

Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Jual Oram also expressed grief on the demise of Fernandes.

"Deeply saddened by the passing away of former Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes. A veteran socialist leader, an Anti-Emergency crusader and a man of immense courage, his death leaves a big void in Indian Polity," Pradhan, the Union Petroleum Minister, said in a Twitter post.

"My thoughts and prayers are with his family in this hour of grief," he added.

Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram said Fernandes was a simple and open-minded leader, who served the country and the poor with dedication.

Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Niranjan Patnaik, too, voiced grief.

"My deepest condolences to the family, friends and followers of Former Union Minister Shri #GeorgeFernandes. May his soul rest in peace," he said on Twitter.

Describing socialist leader George Fernandes as a "fighter" for the working class, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu described Describing socialist leader George Fernandes as a "fighter" for the working class in his tribute.

Naidu's office said in a tweet, "Shri Fernandes was a fighter for working class, a trade unionist, an upright politician, an able administrator, a great parliamentarian and above all was a good human being".

Fernandes was a multi-faceted personality, Naidu said.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar expressed grief over the demise of his friend George Fernandes and paid rich tributes to him, lauding his fiery oratory and his contributions as Union minister and trade union leader.

In his message, Pawar hailed Fernandes for "strengthening and giving new direction" to the workers' (labour) movement.

Pawar recalled that Fernandes, who hailed from North Karnataka, came to Mumbai in 1949 and "became one of Mumbai's".

"He dedicated himself to voice concerns of workers and to ensure justice for them. He built a strong organisation of BMC (civic body) workers. He also ably led the union of railway workers," Pawar noted.

Describing Fernandes as a "good parliamentarian", Pawar praised him for leaving behind mark as an "effective administrator" while discharging duties as the country's defence and industries minister.

"George was an excellent orator. His command over several languages was praiseworthy. We have lost a leader who created an independent identity of himself and who consistently fought for the commoners and workers," he said.

"He was my personal friend. With his demise, I have lost a senior colleague," Pawar added.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled the demise of former union minister George Fernandes, saying he was a much admired trade union leader.

"Very saddened at the passing away of former Defence Minister and much admired trade unionist, George Fernandes Ji. I have known him for decades. My condolences to his family and admirers," the Trinamool Congress leader tweeted.

Chief Minister K Palaniswami hailed former Union minister George Fernandes, as a "multi-faceted" personality.

His demise is a "great loss" to the country, the chief minister said.

"He was a multi-faceted personality, being a politician, trade union leader and journalist. He was a good administrator and a hard working person who was affable to all," the chief minister said in a statement.

"The demise of former Union minister George Fernandes is a great loss for India," he said and extended his sympathies to the departed leader's family and supporters.

Palaniswami also prayed for Fernandes' soul reaching the holy abode.

(With inputs from PTI)