Daijiworld Media Network - Chikkamagaluru (SP)

Chikkamagaluru, Jan 7: Former education minister of Karnataka, H G Govinde Gowda. breathed his last at his residence at Manipura Estate on the outskirts of Koppa town in the district on Wednesday January 6 afternoon. Gowda, affectionately known as 'Gandhi of Malnad' for his style of functioning, was 90.

Govinde Gowda was suffering from breathing complications since sometime, and was being treated at his residence in Koppa town. His health condition deteriorated since Monday, and he slipped into coma. Without responding to treatments, he passed away on Wednesday.

Govinde Gowda is survived by wife, a son, and five daughters. Family sources said that his funeral would be conducted at the open ground in Manipura Estate at 4 pm on Thursday. All educational institutions in Koppa taluk would remain closed on Thursday as a mark of respect for the departed soul.

Gowda, born on May 25, 1926 at Hinachi village in N R Pura taluk in the district, had taken active part in freedom struggle when studying in intermediate class at Sahyadri College, Shivamogga. Gowda was a leading light of Quit India movement in his taluk. He was unanimously elected to Koppa municipality in the first ever election held to the body when he was 26, in 1952. He worked twice as municipal president. He entered the election fray as Janata Dal candidate from Sringeri constituency for the first time in 1982 and entered the legislative assembly in his first attempt. He functioned as education minister in the cabinets of Ramakrishna Hegde and Deve Gowda, and during his tenure, tried hard to revolutionise the field of education. Being the minister for primary and secondary education, he introduced the notion of common entrance test for appointment of teachers, and provided employment to about 90,000 teachers.