Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Jan 6: Madakatte Eshwar Bhat (83), who had served the people in various ways including education, breathed his last in a private hospital at Deralakatte near Mangaluru on Tuesday January 5.

Bhat, who served for long as secretary of Sri Satyasai Lokaseva Trust, Alike near Vittal, was unmarried. He has left behind a sister. He had been unwell since sometime, and suddenly collapsed when having breakfast on Monday. He was provided preliminary treatment at Satyasai General Hospital Alike and rushed to a hospital at Puttur. From there, he was referred to the hospital at Deralakatte for advanced care. But he could not be saved. His end came on Tuesday morning.

Eshwar Bhat was known for straightforward dealings, determination, hard work and discipline. He worked day and night for the people. Having been influenced by Gandhian ideals during early years, he had undertaken protest by way of fast for nine days. During childhood, he had a leaning for Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, and had earned love and respect of everyone because of his affection towards everyone irrespective of their background and religion in later years.

After coming in contact with the late Madiyala Narayana Bhat, founder of Alike group of educational institutions at Alike in 1950, Bhat got involved with him in various initiatives including religious and educational projects. When Sri Satyasai Lokaseva group was founded by Madiyala in 1960, he served as its treasurer, and became secretary when U Gangadhar Bhat was chosen as the trust president in 1977. He continued in this capacity till recently. He also had functioned as hostel warden for some time. He had sold his agricultural land at Madakatte in Kolnadu village and donated the entire proceeds to Satyasai group of institutions.

Eshwar Bhat had functioned in various capacities in different institutions like founder director of Alike Milk Producers Cooperative Society, president of Vishnumurty Janaseva Trust Madakatte, treasurer of Vittal Vidya Sangha Vittal, and patron of the academic committee of Madakatte aided higher primary school.

MLA, Shakuntala T Shetty, V Janardana Varma Arasa, former MLA, Padmanabha Kottary, zilla panchayat members, Shylaja K T Bhat and M S Muhammed, Vittal-UIppinangady block Congress president, Praveenchandra Alva, Alike gram panchayat president, Padmanabha Poojary, block education officer, Sheshashayana Karinja, executive engineer of Mescom Puttur, Narayan Poojary, and a large number of his fans, well-wishers and followers rushed to Alike to pay their last respects to the departed soul. Funeral was performed on Tuesday evening.