A cloud of sadness hung over the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) following the news of Goa chief minister (CM) Manohar Parrikar's death. The institute held a condolence meet on Monday evening to pay tribute to Parrikar, who graduated from the institute with Metallurgical Engineering in 1978.

While some shared fond memories of Parrikar, others recalled the down-to-earth man who attended alumni meets regularly.

"After graduating from the institute, Parrikar joined politics in late the 80's and got elected in the legislative assembly in 1994. He received several honors and accolades during his career. In 2001, the institute felicitated Parrikar as Distinguished Alumnus for his contribution to the development of the country, by the institute. Parrikar remained a true friend of his institute throughout his life and never turned down an invitation to visit the institute," said A K Suresh, acting director of IIT-B.

71-year-old Budram Barai, a retired security guard, was spotted crying inconsolably in front of Parrikar's picture. He was the security guard of Hostel No 4, where Parrikar stayed during his college days. "When Parrikar came to the hostel for the first time, it was me who showed him his hostel room. We shared a great bond and I used to call him Mannu lovingly. Even after being elected as the CM of Goa, Parrikar would recognise me in a crowd of thousands and would spend time with me during his visit to the campus. He was such a great and simple man. After he left the campus, I started calling my son Mannu."

Another Alumni Bhadresh Padia, who was 9-years junior to Parrikar remember him as a down-to-earth man. "Once in an alumni meet, Parrikar sat next to me and introduced himself as Manohar. Never did I realise that he is also the CM of Goa. That's the kind of simplicity he had."