14 Feb. Minister for Higher Education, Govt of Karnataka is no more. He died, in a Bangalore hospital, after a fall.
Dr Acharya was a member of Legislative Council. A physician by profession, he joined politics rather late; but climbed the ladder of success quickly. Thanks to his active association with RSS.
Probably, one of the cleanest ministers in the BJP government in Karnataka, Dr Acharya’s forte was his easy accessibility.
Though his first innings in the corrupt Yeddurappa government was marred by complaints by minorities, he had a rather free-from-controversial career in his second innings as Minister for Higher Education.
When we launched Community Radio SARANG 107.8FM, at St Aloysius College Mangalore, Dr Acharya (the then Home Minister) was my first choice to be the guest of honour. It was for two reasons – he was the Home Minister of the entire state, not just RSS, as the saffronists might have claimed. Hence, in a democracy, all have equal opportunities and claims. Secondly, among the many BJP leaders, he was one of the rarest, who could speak!
When I discussed this with some minority leaders, they opposed my inviting the minister holding him responsible for attacks on Churches in September 2008 (condemning his defense of the notorious Mahendra Kumar of bajrang dal, who had publicly claimed responsibility for the attacks, on a TV channel). In fact, this little blog also saw some lively debate on this! But I argued that he ALL of OUR minister, and willy-nilly represented all of us!
That only the beginning of his rather long and more cordial relationship with St Aloysius College. Even those who opposed my inviting him, were quick to resort to his help in the months and years to come! And Dr Acharya was graceful.
Later, Dr Acharya visited the College and College Chapel twice on his own. Once his P.A. called me to inform me that he is visiting the Chapel! I was surprised!
On that visit, he spent a lot of time in our Chapel; evinced keen interests in the paintings, besides speaking informatively on Christian history and arts!
Then, when we invited him for a cup of tea, he gracefully accepted the invitation, and shared tea and “golibaje”, chatting with us in our Jesuit’s Dining Room.
I was keen to interview him for Community Radio SARANG 107.8FM. He said a ready “yes”! The principal discouraged me from taking him to Radio SARANG because the latter looked very week, besides his age. But Dr Acharya said, “No, I will walk (from Dining room to radio – a good 200 meters!).
I sat in his car, beside him and drove down to Radio SARANG, where he spoke freely on Community Radios and community development, even wishing well (he gave bytes exhorting people to listen to Radio SARANG 107.8FM)!
Two of the very striking qualities of Dr Acharya were his easy accessibility and simplicity. Whenever I called him -both- he and his P.A. Mr Ravi Shetty, were very cordial to me. When I invited (telephoned) him for Radio SARANG 107.8FM launch in September 2009, I remember how he poured out his heart, about the attacks on churches, how some vested interests are attacking Christians, and blaming it on BJP!
He would personally answer his calls; I hardly had to go though his assistants or a third party, specially if I called him late evenings! No doubt, even during the day, Mr Ravi Shetty was graceful.
Dr Acharya’s sad, unexpected demise has left BJP with a minister less in cleaner politics, and specially in terms of corruption. In an age when corruption is the most prided thing in state politics (not to speak of Centre’s dark spots), Dr Acharya seemed to be an exception.
My heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family.
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