Classmates proud of DV, though he hardly visited home-constituency

Udupi, August 3: Though DV Sadananda Gowda is a member of parliament representing Udupi-Chikmagalur constituency, his connections here were very little and he was considered more a Puttur man by the people of Udupi.

Prior to his election as the MP, though he had occupied a rented house in Udupi, he or his family had hardly been to that house. Within a few months, Gowda had even vacated that house and saved the rent.

But, three years, from 1971-74, during his study of law at Vaikunta Baliga College of Law (previously Udupi Law College) had marked deep impressions among his fellow students.

Gowda's classmate Ramachandra, an advocate and former Udupi Taluk Panchayath member, expressing his happiness over the election of Sadananda Gowda to the post of Chief Minister recalled: “He had a personality which could not be hated by anybody. He was a very good boy and had inculcated leadership qualities since his college days. Then also he was not an aggressive leader and was always smiling”. Gowda had also served as the General Secretary of Students' Union of the Law College.

Bhaskar Bhandary, an advocate, who was Gowda's junior at the law college said: “He was the smallest boy in their class and I am now proud that he reached the highest position in the state”