Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s father BN Yugandhar passed away in his residence here on September 13 after a brief illness. Yugandhar (80) was an IAS officer of 1962 batch and had served as planning commission member during Dr Manmohan Singh’s tenure as PM, besides working under former PM PV Narsimha Rao. He also acted as director of Lal Bahadur Shastry Nation Academy of Administration.

Mr. Yugandhar was suffering from breathing problem for quite some time, according to his close associate and former Union Home Secretary K Padmanabhaiah. “We had been friends since 1961. We belong to the same batch of IAS. He was straightforward in putting forth his opinions. A very well respected IAS officer”, Padmanabhaiah said recalling his association.

Known for his sincerity and simplicity his junior officers say that Yugandhar didn’t even invite PM PV Narasimha Rao for Satya Nadella’s wedding. But Rao attended the marriage anyway without any fanfare. Attached to his native village Bukkapuram in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh, Yugandhar said to have initiated several development projects in his native place. Satya Nadella is his only son.

Yugandhar’s wife Prabhavathi passed away three years ago. She had served as Sanskrit lecturer in Tirupati. She was the daughter of another well-known bureaucrat, KR Venugopal.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao condoled the death BN Yugandhar. The CM described Yugandhar was a sincere, honest officer who was known for his simplicity. The CM also recalled the services rendered by him. The CM has conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved family especially Satya Nadella. Former AP Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu in a statement also conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family.