Panaji: Chief minister Manohar Parrikar attended an event on Monday to mark the Goa Republic Day here, making his first appearance at an official event following his return from the US.

The BJP leader, who had returned on Thursday evening after medical treatment in the US for three months, appeared frail but walked without any support at the event at Azad Maidan.

He received governor Mridula Sinha, remained present through the hour-long programme and walked on wet ground to offer flowers at the memorial to the martyrs of the Goa liberation struggle.

In his two-minute speech, however, his voice showed weakness and exhaustion.

Seven decades ago, freedom fighter Ram Manohar Lohia had given a call to fight against the then Portuguese regime on this day in 1946.

Parrikar had been admitted to a local hospital in February following stomach pain and was diagnosed with a pancreatic ailment. He later flew to the US for treatment in the first week of March.

The 62-year-old resumed work the very next day after he returned. He held a meeting with chief secretary Dharmendra Sharma and principal secretary to the chief minister P. Krishnamurthy on Friday. Before that he visited the Devki Krishna Temple and the Mahalaxmi Temple. He also announced a cabinet meeting on Monday and a tentative schedule for the monsoon session.

Sources close to the chief minister said he has cut down on his activities, doesn't speak for long and avoids physical strain.

Officials had earlier said he would avoid public interactions, but Parrikar held a meeting of the BJP's Panaji unit on Saturday and interacted with over 30 senior party workers.

While Parrikar's immediate resumption of work won him praise on social media, cabinet colleague Vijay Sardesai advised him to take it easy. "He is all raring to go. The go-getter spirit in him is not letting him take rest. But I advised him to take it easy," Sardesai, the chief of the Goa Forward Party, said.

"Parrikar has huge willpower. It is this power which got him back recovered from the US," he added. "Infections spread during monsoon. He should be cautious as it can affect his health."

Goa BJP chief Vinay Tendulkar said Parrikar's return had cheered up party workers. "He should take care of his health. But knowing Parrikar, it is difficult to expect him to go slow. He has got Goa in his heart," Tendulkar said. PTI