Mangalore, February 15: Dignitaries in the coastal city offered rich tributes to the departed BJP leader Dr V S Acharya at a public condolence meet organized by Kalkura Prathishtana at Dhyana Mandir of Sharada Vidyalaya here on Wednesday evening.
In his introductory remarks, Prathishtana chairman Pradeep Kalkura said that we have lost the 'Bheeshmacharya' of the BJP.
A giant portrait of the departed soul was placed with floral pieces to pay homage. Among those who paid floral tributes were Vice Chancellor of Mangalore University Prof Shivshankar Murthy, Registrar Dr Chinappa Gowda, Dharmadharshi Harikrishna Punraroor, Congress leader Ivan D Souza, Karnataka Bank Chairman P Jayaram Bhat, Ganesh Alva, Shridhar Bhat , noted writer Laxmi Narayan Alva and artist Ganesh Somayaji.
The tribute ceremony began by the chanting of Vedas by students of Sharada Vidyalaya. Then the assembled dignitaries one by one, expressed their feelings over the loss of their beloved leader.
Prof Murthy, who was a witness to the last minutes of Dr Acharya's life as he has participated in the same meeting where the higher education minister collapsed, recalled his official contact with departed soul. “I met him after I became the Vice Chancellor. He was an educationist rather than an education minister. He became so friendly to me that I could not make out he was in such a position. He spoke very friendly to all. He used to speak very personally to everyone. He used to say that you can become a good doctor or engineer but first you must become a good human being. He used to consent for coming to all functions which we had. He played major role in starting two new universities. He gave importance to rural education”, he said.
Laxmi Narayan Alva became emotional and went off the stage.
Congress leader Ivan D'Souza recalled that he used to visit Dr Acharya's clinic often. “Today's youth must idealise his life. He never used to quit working and never felt tired of his work. He had an honourable death. He was an ideal personality. Every decision of his was implemented. All the people used to say that if you have to speak about the budget then you must talk to Dr Acharya”, he said.
VHP leader Prof M B Puranik said that since last six months he was associated with Dr Acharya closely. “He made a committee for religious activities. Any issue in front of him was made to look like it was very easy. His personality was so strong that a noble man like him could get things done without any obstacles. In politics you cannot find a cleaner leader than him,” he said.
The function was attended by around 100 eminent persons and there were bhajans to pay homage to the departed soul.
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