<p>As the mortal remains of one of the most dignified and respected politicians, Higher Education Minister Dr V S Acharya, also the Udupi district-in-charge minister, were consigned to flames at midnight, a pall of gloom descended on the entire coastal districts.<br /><br /></p>.<p>In fact, thousands of people cutting across party lines, caste or creed, witnessed the last rites of beloved leader and paid tributes to the departed soul.<br /><br />Dr Raviraj V Acharya, the eldest son of Dr V S Acharya performed all the rites.<br /><br />Earlier, the body of Dr Acharya arrived at Rajatadri, the new DC Office complex at Manipal, around 8.15 pm, where a large number of people, well wishers, admirers paid their last respects.<br /><br />The body was flown in by a special flight from Bangalore to Mangalore. As soon as the body reached Bajpe airport at 7 pm, it was taken by road to Rajathadri.<br /><br />The mortal remains of Acharya was accompanied by Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, Speaker Bhopaiah, ministers Ashoka, Shobha Karandlaje, Suresh Kumar and Murugesh Nirani.<br /><br />From Rajathadri to home<br /><br />From Rajathadri, the body was taken to Acharya’s home to perform the rituals. Veteran BJP leader L K Advani visited the residence of Acharya and paid the last respects. From home, the body was taken in a procession at 11.25 pm to the crematorium at Beedanagudde (about 2 kms) to perform the last rites. His elder son Dr Raviraj Acharya performed the last rites by lighting the pyre. The body of the late minister was consigned to flames with official state honors. <br /><br />Gloomy scene<br /><br />A number of people including Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda were seen sobbing tears as they approached the body to pay the respects. <br /><br />Speaking to media persons, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said the state has lost an illustrious leader who was part of the success of the party in the state. <br /><br />“Acharya was a man with clean political commitment and certain extra caliber in capacity and cultural values,” he said and added that Acharya was not only committed to his political life, but also rendered a wonderful service to the state. Karnataka has lost a politician with farsightedness and simplicity, he added. The Chief Minister also said that Acharya has immensely contributed to the development of Udupi and state since 1970. <br /><br />“He introduced me to all the departments after I assumed the charge as the chief minister. His demise is a huge loss that is unbearable as the government is preparing the fiscal budget, he would guide us for every minute details to be incorporated in the budget. He would also conceptualize the party manifesto during polls,” he added.Former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa who came to pay last respects to the departed leader said that it is a huge loss to BJP and also to the political arena of the state. <br /><br />Acharya was a non controversial leader who stood as an epitome of clean and corruption-free politics. He never maintained any sort of enmity with other political leaders and he was also responsible for the strong hold of BJP in this area during recent years, he said.<br /><br />State BJP President Eshwarappa, BJP Leader Basavaraj Bommai, Legislative Council Chairman D Shankarmurthy, Ministers Jagdish Shettar, Murgeshi Nirani, Vishweshar Hegde Kageri, C M Udasi, Deputy Speaker N Yogish Bhat, MP Ananth Kumar and Janardhan Poojary were present.<br /></p>
<p>As the mortal remains of one of the most dignified and respected politicians, Higher Education Minister Dr V S Acharya, also the Udupi district-in-charge minister, were consigned to flames at midnight, a pall of gloom descended on the entire coastal districts.<br /><br /></p>.<p>In fact, thousands of people cutting across party lines, caste or creed, witnessed the last rites of beloved leader and paid tributes to the departed soul.<br /><br />Dr Raviraj V Acharya, the eldest son of Dr V S Acharya performed all the rites.<br /><br />Earlier, the body of Dr Acharya arrived at Rajatadri, the new DC Office complex at Manipal, around 8.15 pm, where a large number of people, well wishers, admirers paid their last respects.<br /><br />The body was flown in by a special flight from Bangalore to Mangalore. As soon as the body reached Bajpe airport at 7 pm, it was taken by road to Rajathadri.<br /><br />The mortal remains of Acharya was accompanied by Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, Speaker Bhopaiah, ministers Ashoka, Shobha Karandlaje, Suresh Kumar and Murugesh Nirani.<br /><br />From Rajathadri to home<br /><br />From Rajathadri, the body was taken to Acharya’s home to perform the rituals. Veteran BJP leader L K Advani visited the residence of Acharya and paid the last respects. From home, the body was taken in a procession at 11.25 pm to the crematorium at Beedanagudde (about 2 kms) to perform the last rites. His elder son Dr Raviraj Acharya performed the last rites by lighting the pyre. The body of the late minister was consigned to flames with official state honors. <br /><br />Gloomy scene<br /><br />A number of people including Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda were seen sobbing tears as they approached the body to pay the respects. <br /><br />Speaking to media persons, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said the state has lost an illustrious leader who was part of the success of the party in the state. <br /><br />“Acharya was a man with clean political commitment and certain extra caliber in capacity and cultural values,” he said and added that Acharya was not only committed to his political life, but also rendered a wonderful service to the state. Karnataka has lost a politician with farsightedness and simplicity, he added. The Chief Minister also said that Acharya has immensely contributed to the development of Udupi and state since 1970. <br /><br />“He introduced me to all the departments after I assumed the charge as the chief minister. His demise is a huge loss that is unbearable as the government is preparing the fiscal budget, he would guide us for every minute details to be incorporated in the budget. He would also conceptualize the party manifesto during polls,” he added.Former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa who came to pay last respects to the departed leader said that it is a huge loss to BJP and also to the political arena of the state. <br /><br />Acharya was a non controversial leader who stood as an epitome of clean and corruption-free politics. He never maintained any sort of enmity with other political leaders and he was also responsible for the strong hold of BJP in this area during recent years, he said.<br /><br />State BJP President Eshwarappa, BJP Leader Basavaraj Bommai, Legislative Council Chairman D Shankarmurthy, Ministers Jagdish Shettar, Murgeshi Nirani, Vishweshar Hegde Kageri, C M Udasi, Deputy Speaker N Yogish Bhat, MP Ananth Kumar and Janardhan Poojary were present.<br /></p>
