Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (MS)

Bantwal, Aug 27: President of Alike Sri Satyasai Loka Seva Trust and native of Uluvana of Bayaru village of the taluk Uluvana Gangadhar Bhat (90) died on Thursday, August 27 at a private hospital at Deralakatte due to brief illness. He was admitted to the hospital for heart-related surgery a few days ago. During that time he developed breathing issues. During testing it was confirmed that he had contracted coronavirus. So he was under treatment for the same.

He has served the society through Alike organization for nearly 70 years.

Gangadhar Bhat was the executive president of third Kannada Sahitya Sammelana that took place in the taluk in 1993. In addition, he was the executive president of 17th Dakshina Kannada district Kannada Sahitya Sammelana also. He also shouldered responsibilities of Alike Panchayat and cooperative association.

Gangadhar Bhat played a stellar role in the extension of Kalyana Mantapa of Madiyala Sri Gopalakrishna temple. He also built and developed Alike and Muddenahalli organizations. In addition to establishing educational institutions, he also efficiently handled free hospital, orphanage, agriculture, animal husbandry, book publishing, newspaper distribution and hostels.

Gangadhar Bhat was the editor of Kannada Sanathana Sarathi from 1984 to 2015 and editor of Sevamrita monthly magazine from 2016. He was the member of advisory committee of the 50th Sanathana Sarathi Sammelan that was held at Puttaparthi.

Bhat used to facilitate many achievers on the occasion of Ganesha Chathurthi every year. He had great concern towards poorer people of the society. He used to conduct medical checking and treatment camps often. 'Gangadhara Gaurava', a book in honour of Gangadhar Bhat, edited by Hiranya Venkateshwara Bhat is already published.

Gangadhar Bhat was the chief of agriculture department in the beginning. He was the secretary of Loka Seva Vrinda which started functioning in 1960. In 1977 January Narayana Bhat donated all his movable and immovable properties to the feet of Lord and passed away. In 1978, Bhagawan Sri Satyasai Baba official overtook the reigns of Lokaseva Vrinda. Gangadhar Bhat began working as the president of Alike and Muddenahalli Sri Satyasai Loka Seva trust. He played a very important role in nurturing the dream of his brother Narayan Bhat.

In 1962, When China attacked India, Gangadhar Bhat did not have anything to donate to the soldiers' aid fund. He donated the ear ring without any hesitation as he did not have any money with him because he used to work without salary as teacher and secretary.