Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur

Kundapur, Aug 15: Veteran educationist and retired headmaster Vithal V. Gaonkar (75), a recipient of district and state-level awards, passed away at a private hospital in Udupi on Friday August 14.

A resident of Ankola, Gaonkar had served as the headmaster of the Government Composite High School at Manur-Padukere, Kota. He is survived by his wife Geetha V Gaonkar, a retired vice-principal of Kota Viveka Pre-University College, and two sons, including Vivekananda V Gaonkar, headmaster of the Government Composite High School, Kota-Padukere.

Gaonkar had also served as president of the Kannada Sahitya Sammelana of Ankola taluk in Uttara Kannada district. He had presided over the Hobli-level Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held at Barkur in Udupi district.

After retirement, he served as president of the Freedom Fighters’ Association in Ankola.

MP Kota Srinivas Poojary, MLA Kiran Kumar Kodgi and several other dignitaries condoled his demise.