CHIKKAMAGALURU:Former minister H G Govinde Gowda is no more.
He passed away after a prolonged illness at his Manipur estate residence here at 2.48 pm.
He was 90 and is survived by his wife Shanthamma, five daughters and son H G Venkatesh. Govinde Gowda was born to Hinachi Gidde Gowda and Bobamma at Kanuru village in NR Pura taluk on May 25, 1926.
He got his primary education at Koppa, high school education in Chikkamagaluru and did his intermediate in Shivamogga. He discontinued his education after that and participated actively in the freedom struggle.
He took part in the Quit India movement and Mysore Chalo movement in 1942 and 1948 respectively.
He began his career as an agriculturist and coffee planter. He married Shantha on 12 March, 1950.
From 1952 Gowda started doing social service. He became the first Koppa municpality president in 1959 He occupied the position of Koppa TAPCMS preisdent from 1972 to 1973.
He was the taluk KRRS president in 1973, and became very popular among the masses during this time.
Political Career
He was first elected to the Assembly from Sringeri constituency on a Janata party ticket in 1983.
He was reelected in 1985 and became the primary education minister in the R K Hegde cabinet.
He was labour and industry minister in the S R Bommai government in 1989.
In 1994 , he was once again elected from Sringeri and became the education minister in the H D Deve Gowda and J H Patel governments.
He retired from active politcs in October 1999.
Because of his clean image, concern for the people, and the revolutionary changes he brought about in the Education Department, he came to be known as Malnad Gandhi. More than 1 lakh teachers primary teachers were hired in a transparent manner when he was the education minister, which is a milestone in the history of Karnataka. Several leaders have mourned his death . His body will be cremated at his estate here on Thursday.
