Higher Education Minister Dr V S Acharya Dies


Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore/Bangalore
Pics from Acharya's Life: drvsacharya.blogspot.in

Feb 14: Higher education minister Dr V S Acharya passed away here on Tuesday February 14 after he suddenly collapsed while attending a programme here. He was 71.

He was taking part in a programme when he suffered a massive heart attack and fell unconcsious on the dais. He was immediately rushed to Mallige Hospital where he breathed his last.


Dr V S Acharya


Dr V S Acharya at a programme on February 14 morning, hours before he passed away


As student of Kadiyali School


Municipal Council, 1968


Akki Gate Satyagraha


Left: Felicitation by Padmashri Dr T M A Pai
Right: Felicitation to Atal Behari Vajpayee at Udupi


With Jayaprakash Narayan



With Morarji Desai, Janatha Party President

"Acharya is no more. It is big shock to us and our party," chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda told reporters at Mallige Hospital.

He was elected as a member of the Karnataka legislative assembly in 1983. He had been a member of legislative council of Karnataka state since 2002. He became the state home minister in 2008 and later in 2010 was sworn in as minister for higher education in the BJP government. 

He had been jailed for 19 months during the 1975-77 internal emergency imposed by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Dr Vedavyas Srinivas Acharya was born on July 6, 1939 in Udupi to Vidwan Vedantha Shiromani Katte Srinivasa Acharya and Krishnaveni Amma. He leaves behind his wife Shantha V Acharya, four sons Dr Raviraj, Dr Kiran, Ganesha Prasad, Rajesh Prasad, and daughter Bharathi M Hebbar.

Top politicians and leaders are flocking the hospital to pay their tributes.

All schools and colleges will remain closed in Bangalore on Tuesday, and in Udupi on Wednesday February 15.

The body will be kept at his Race Course residence in Bangalore till 3 pm for last respects, and will be flown to Mangalore via a special flight. From Mangalore the body will be taken to Udupi in a procession.

The body will kept for public viewing 5 pm to 8 pm at DC's office in Manipal. The final rites will be held at Beedinagudde Grounds in Udupi, his hometown.


PTI Adds:

The Karnataka government declared three-day mourning as a mark of respect to Acharya and also a day's holiday today in Bangalore, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

In Delhi, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna recalled that during his tenure as Chief Minister, the treasury benches used to listen to Acharya's suggestions seriously during house proceedings.

BJP leader L K Advani, in his condolence message, said Acharya played an important role in Jan Sangh capturing power in Udupi municipal elections in 1960s.

"Udupi was the place where Jan Sangh registered its first victory in any municipal election in South India. Acharya played a very important role in it," he said.

What was remarkable was that for many years, Udipi municipality was acknowledged as the best-run civic body in Karnataka, he said.

BJP General Secretary Ananth Kumar said Acharya was not only an inspiration for the party, but also for the state."He has done yoeman service for Udupi's development," he said.

State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Jagadish Shettar said Acharya was an honest politician and a committed party worker."His contribution towards development of Udupi is immense. He was one of the architects of building BJP in the state," he said.

Home Minister R Ashok said Acharya was a unique leader and had friends cutting across party lines.  "His contribution to build BJP in the state is unforgettable," he said.

Opposition Leader in Assembly Siddaramaiah said his friendship with Acharya spanned 30 years. "He was a gentle politician and rendered yoeman service to the state in his capacity as minister and legislator," he said.

In his condolence message, BJP President Nitin Gadkari expressed profound grief and sorrow on Acharya's demise.

"With the departure of V S Acharya, the BJP has lost a stalwart in Karnataka. It is a personal loss to me as well," Gadkari said in his message.

Acharya was instrumental in the then Jan Sangh's victory in 1968 of Udupi municipal council which had laid foundation for BJP rule in the South, he said added.

"Acharya was known for his honesty and integrity. His death is a big loss to the party. We offer our condolences," Kumar said. 

  

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Comment on this article

  • Stany S Fernandes, Kodavoor Kalmadi

    Fri, Feb 17 2012

    As we remember him During our childhood he treated us at his Kalmadi dispensary. May almighty God give him eternal rest. May his Soul rest in peace.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • S.Bhat, Mangalore

    Wed, Feb 15 2012

    Karnataka lost a good respected leader who never compromised on ideology of BJP .Lived with dignity in entire public life with ethics.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • KRISHNA HOLLA, KUNDAPURA/ Bangalore

    Wed, Feb 15 2012

    Fully equipped ambulances need to be positioned where functions are being held to take care of such eventualities.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Higher Education Minister Dr V S Acharya Dies



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