Vishwajit Pratapsingh Rane, born 23 March 1971 into Goa’s most storied political family—his father Pratapsingh Rane served six terms as Chief Minister—has emerged as one of the state’s most influential and results-oriented leaders. A commerce graduate from Goa University, postgraduate in management from TAPMI Manipal, and former state-level badminton champion, Rane entered politics with the Congress, winning Valpoi in 2007 and handling key portfolios under Digambar Kamat. In 2017 he switched to the BJP, joined Manohar Parrikar’s cabinet as Health Minister, and was re-elected from Poriem in 2022. Today he holds Health, Urban Development, Town & Country Planning, Forests, and Women & Child Development—perhaps the widest and most critical brief in the Pramod Sawant government.
Revolutionising Healthcare: From Digital PHC to Lifesaving Infrastructure
Rane pioneered India’s first fully digitised Primary Health Centre at Corlim and expanded the 108 ambulance fleet from 32 to 103 vehicles, saving over 1.3 lakh lives through faster response times. He introduced free IVF and IUI treatments in government hospitals, launched a dedicated 120-bed Cancer Institute, and brought advanced gastroenterology and skull-base surgery to Goa. Preventive healthcare gained momentum with Swasth Mahila and Swasth Goa campaigns conducting large-scale breast cancer screening—the first of their kind in India at state level.
Forests & Eco-Tourism: Conservation with Livelihoods
As Forest Minister, Rane rolled out a 10-year roadmap blending strict conservation with community-led eco-tourism. Mangrove protection under the central MISHTI scheme, drone surveillance and volunteer squads for wildfire control, and afforestation drives exceeding five lakh trees are hallmarks. Upgraded wildlife trails and waterfall sites now create sustainable jobs in guiding and maintenance, ensuring locals benefit directly from tourism while safeguarding Goa’s 40% green cover.
Sustainable Urban Transformation
In Urban Development and Town Planning, Rane introduced environmental clearance linkage for building permissions, mandated vertical gardens in high-rises, and accelerated Smart City and AMRUT projects. The infamous Sonsodo garbage dump is being converted into a green lung, proving that urban growth and ecology can coexist.
Vision & Inspiration: A Modi Disciple Building Viksit Goa
An open admirer of Prime Minister Narendra Modi—whom he calls his “guru”—Rane aligns every initiative with the national goal of Viksit Bharat. “Our aim is simple,” he says, “to create a Goa that balances cutting-edge progress with preservation, delivering world-class healthcare, green livelihoods, smarter cities, and quality of life for every citizen.”
From a young badminton player to one of Goa’s most powerful ministers, Vishwajit Rane’s journey reflects discipline, vision, and an unwavering commitment to putting people first.
