Daijiworld Media Network - Sullia (SP)

Sullia, Dec 3: Principal of Lord Subrahmanyeshwara PU College at Subrahmanya, B Vittal Rao (55), breathed his last at a private hospital in Udupi on Friday December 2 after being ill for some time. He is survived by wife and two daughters.

After serving the said PU College for about 28 years as Sanskrit lecturer, Rao had taken charge as its principal in 2015 based on seniority. He also worked as reporter for a Kannada daily besides being a regular columnist. He had won several awards including Rajyotsava award and Raghavendra Swami Sadbhavana award. At the time of his demise, he was working as vice president of working journalists union at Subrahmanya.

Rao was a very good orator and staunch supporter of plays, Yakshagana and music. He had authored a number of Yakshagana episodes and was known as a fine leader of religious, social, cultural and environmental campaigns in Subrahmanya area besides being a skilled compere. He was from Bappanadu, and had built a house at Bailakere at Udupi for settling down after retirement.

After offering silent prayer on Friday, a day's holiday was declared for the above PU college on Friday in honour of its departed principal. Subrahmanya Swamiji and scores of dignitaries have mourned his untimely death.