Schools, colleges called off, university exams postponed as union minister Ananth Kumar passes away at 59

[caption id="attachment_181361" align="alignleft" width="379"] Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde[/caption] Bhatkal 12 November 2018: (Bhatkallys News Bureau) All the schools and colleges were called of on Monday morning after news of senior BJP leader and Cabinet Minister Ananth Kumar's demise appeared in media and other through other channels. Ananth, who was suffering from cancer and had returned from US after cancer treatment last month died at a hospital in Bengaluru at the age of 59. Highlights of Ananth's political career was that he was the youngest minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee led NDA government in 1998 where he served as the civil aviation minister. Following his demise, all the universities including Karnataka University Dharwad, issued orders to postpone semester exams for the students scheduled for November 12. BBA, B.com and other stream students at KUD were scheduled to take their respective exams on Monday which have now been postponed to a 'future date' according to the order. Ananth is also known for being the first person to address United Nations in regional state language Kannada. "Sad to hear of the passing of Union minister and veteran parliamentarian Shri H.N. Ananth Kumar. This is a tragic loss to public life in our country and particularly for the people of Karnataka. My condolences to his family, colleagues and countless associates," President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted. Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi also condoled the Ananth's demise and said he was a 'great asset' to the BJP. Modi tweeted.

Ananth Kumar Ji was an able administrator, who handled many ministerial portfolios and was a great asset to the BJP organisation. He worked hard to strengthen the Party in Karnataka, particularly in Bengaluru and surrounding areas. He was always accessible to his constituents.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 12, 2018

"Our families had a friendship beyond politics. He always valued and had given priority to friendship. I have lost a great friend in his death," Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy told media reporters in Bengaluru. The six-time MP from South Bengaluru was in-charge of Chemical and Fertilisers and Parliamentary affairs ministry and held the two key portfolios since May 2014. Other national leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Mamta Banerjee, Arvind Kejrival along with state leaders and union ministers Sadanand Gowda, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also expressed their grief and shock on Ananth's demise. (Bhatkallys News Bureau/ Ismail Zaorez)