Modi 'visionary global leader' with feet on ground: Parrikar

Panaji, Feb 13 : Describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "visionary leader" with his "feet on the ground", Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday said even while Modi rubs shoulders with world leaders, he had the humility to enquire about the coastal state's open defecation-free (ODF) status.

Speaking at a state Health Ministry programme here, Parrikar said: "...it is not easy to get a leader of that vision. I have seen him how he works... I was always his supporter only because he was doing things, but when I saw him closely, I saw what the concept of (his) vision is."

"Observe it closely. On one hand, he was delivering a speech in Abu Dhabi. He was addressing an international audience, international leadership... Today his ranking is among the top three (international leaders). But his feet are on the ground," the Chief Minister said.

"On the one hand, he is a world leader and on the other hand, he also worries about ODF. I will get calls from his office, or he will write a letter or speak to me and enquire about Swachh Bharat," Parrikar further said.

Parrikar also said, that Modi had a special corner for Goa and that the state should make the most of it.

"He remembers Goa, as a lucky mascot or maybe for other reasons, or maybe for some other reasons. We should take advantage of that," the former Defence Minister said.