Former minister, statesman B A Mohideen no more

Bengaluru, Jul 25: Kalmane Kamegowda, the lake man who was recently praised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a recent Mann Ki Baat, is in serious condition after he tested positive for COVID-19, former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said on Saturday.

"The health condition of Lake Kamegowda is serious. It is our responsibility to save him. I demand that the state government make appropriate arrangements for emergency treatment," Kumaraswamy tweeted.

"The Prime Minister also praised him in Mann Ki Baat. Chief Ministers expressed appreciation. Only praising doesn't help him at this point of time. The government needs to come forward to treat him in a good hospital when he's sick," he said in the following tweet.

Kamegowda of Dasanadoddi village in Malavalli taluk had drawn the attention of the Prime Minister in the 66th 'Mann Ki Baat' for constructing ponds to conserve rainwater during the summer.

Responding to Kumaraswamy's remark, State Medical Education Minister Dr Sudhakar K said that he has already called up the Mandya Medical College and directed the hospital to admit and treat Kamegowda.

"As soon as I noticed the seriousness of Kamagowad's health, I called the director of the Mandya Medical College and informed him that he should be admitted to the hospital and treated. I pray to the Lord that the Kamagowadas who inspire the whole country will heal soon," Sudhakar K tweeted.

Mangaluru, Jan 9: Noted city based tax accountant and former Rotary District Governor Surya Prakash Bhat passed away late this evening following brief illness. He was 62 and is survived by his wife Srimathi and two daughters Shruthi and Shravya.

Surya Prakash Bhat suddenly fell ill and had been in coma for the last two weeks due to complications arising from acute diabetes. He was undergoing treatment in the ICU at Yenepoya Hospital, Kodialbail. However he failed to respond to treatment and passed away at 9.20 p.m on Wednesday, January 8th.

He was an active Rotarian. He was an active member of Rotaract Club of Mangalore Central during his youth and then joined Rotary Club of Mangalore in 1989. After holding various positions in club level and the district level including Rotary District Secretary during the year 1995-96, he became club President of Rotary Club of Mangalore during its Golden Jubilee year in 1999-2000. Then on he rose to the position of District Governor of RI Dist. 3180 during 2003-2004. He was presently a member of the Rotary District Advisory Council.

Popularly known as "SURI", Surya Prakash Bhat was born in Mangalore on 8th May 1957. He had his early education in Milagres High School and graduated from St. Aloysius College. He did his articleship under Kamath & Rao Chartered Accountants. He has been practicing as a Tax Consultant since 1980 specializing in the fields of Goods & Service Tax (GST).

He has earlier served as Treasurer and Secretary of Kanara Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mangalore. He also has been a Member of Finance & Banking Committee of FICCI, New Delhi; Member of Advisory Board, Department of Commercial Taxes as well as of Customs & Central Excise. He was one of the founders of The Karavali Automotive Sports Club, Mangalore and a Trustee of Shri Somanatha Temple, Someshwar, Mangalore.

Had been regularly anchoring programme like “Janadhwani”, a programme which highlights problems of common man, Elections Special and Budget Analysis in the local TV Channel.

Funeral will be held tomorrow in Mangalore.

Rotary Connection

Surya Prakash Bhat Joined Rotaract Club in 1976-77 and had won record 14 out of 15 awards in the district (Comprising of 8 Revenue Districts) as the best President during 1984-85.  He served as Rotaract District Secretary during 1985-86. 

He has been addressing various institutions, organizations and service clubs on matters of general interest, personality and individual development and Rotary. Has addressed the prestigious Rotary Institutes at Colombo and was trainer for the DGN’S at Cochin Institute, Bangkok Institute & SINGAPORE Institute. He was the President during the "Golden Jubilee Year" of Rotary Club of Mangalore during 1999-2000 when the club had bagged a record 28 awards in all.

He attended Rotary International Conventions at Singapore in 1999, at Denmark/Sweden in 2006 and New Orleans, USA in 2011,and Sydney, Australia in 2014. He was District Secretary during 1995-96 and then was the Club President during 1999-2000. He had initiated unique District Projects like “Sanjeevini” – Students Parents Insurance Scheme, “Jeeva” Highway Ambulance Project, Mid Day Meal for students of 6th & 7th Std children, Mobility Training Centre for the Blind etc. 

During the Governorship, RI Dist.3180 topped the world in membership development with 15 new clubs and 852 new members.  He has represented the Dist.3180 to Council on Legislation (decision taking body of Rotary International) at Chicago, USA during 2006-07.  Has been awarded “The Citation for Meritorious Service” by THE ROTARY FOUNDATION of Rotary International in recognition of his devoted efforts for the furthering of better understanding and friendly relations of people’s of the world. Has also been awarded “The Service above Self” citation of the Rorary International for the year 2011. Was the coordinator for Zone 6A & 6B covering around 12 countries for Literacy Programme of R.I for the year 2006-07.

Was the Chairman of the Dist. Trainers Training Programme at the Rotary Institute 2017-18 at Kuala Lampur, Malaysia.

Bengaluru, Jun 15: After a three-month delay, seven-time MLA and former state minister DK Shivakumar, who has been appointed as the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, will take charge on July 2 at a simple function at the new party office here.

Mr Shivakumar was appointed as KPCC president on March 11.

Party sources said on Monday that Shivakumar plans to take charge of the party through a “pratijna dina” (pledge day) ceremony that would be telecast live to 7,800 locations across the state and over 10 lakh party workers are expected to attend it virtually.