Daijiworld News Network - Udupi (MB)

Udupi, Oct 15: Well-known administrator, philanthropist and temple trustee Nidambur Beedu Annaji Ballal (83) passed away here on Saturday evening. He was ailing from kidney failure over the past few days.

He is survived by wife, four sons including Dr Vijay Ballal and two daughters. Environmentalist and thinker Dr N Murari Ballal who died about two years ago of the effects of a road accident was his eldest son.

He was instrumental in the renovation of Ambalapady Shri Janardana and Shri Mahakali temples. For five decades, he had served as the 'divan' of Shri Admar Math in Udupi. In 1950s, he served as Manipur panchayat chairman for a record four terms lasting 20 years.

He had also played a major role in getting the district hospital upgraded.

His close associates recall that he used to ride bicycle from Ambalapady to downtown up to the age of 65. An example of his simple life is that he got a telephone line at home, which is not regarded as any luxury now unlike the olden days, as late as in 1994.

He had the credit of drawing up a long-term plan for the regular income at the temples. At the same time, he pioneered, three decades ago,  the practice of donating part of the temple income towards socially relevant causes. The donations thus made thorugh him so far aggregate to over Rs 1.2 crore.