Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, May 18: B Govind Nayak (93), who was a freedom fighter, and residing at Chitpady-Kukikkatte here, breathed his last at his residence on Tuesday May 17 morning. He is survived by four sons and a daughter.

Govind Nayak, born on August 16, 1918, as the son of Nagappa Nayak and Lakshmi Bai, studied till eighth standard at Modern School Udupi. At the age of 12, he was attracted by the preaching of Mahatma Gandhi, and got involved with freedom struggle. He had also participated in the Salt Satyagraha of 1930. When Gandhiji visited Udupi in 1934, Nayak was designated by the Sevadal to take care of the personal needs of the Mahatma.

Nayak was jailed for three months for participating in Quit India Movement in 1942. He had unfurled the tricolour when India got freedom in 1947 in front of the government hospital in Ajjarkad here. He had set up a concern, Modern Electrical Works, and used to undertake electrical contract work till 1995. He had functioned as the vice president of Bailoor panchayat from 1957 to 1972. He had also served as the director of Korangrapady Cooperative Agricultural Bank for five years, and as the director of Udupi Cooperative Store. He had refused to accept the monthly pension and government land for which freedom fighters are eligible for.