Karnataka Minister for Higher Education Dr. V.S. Acharya, who has been keeping indifferent health for the last few months, died in Bangalore today. He was 71.

Acharya had collapsed suddenly as he was walking to the specially erected stage in the Government Science College on Nrupathunga Road where he was supposed to speak as a chief guest in a programme. He was immediately rushed to the nearby hospital but doctors declared him brought dead.

Earlier, Dr Acharya, who arrived from Udipi, straightaway went to the college to participate in the programme.
Chief Minister V. Sadananda Gowda announced sadly the death of Acharya at a press conference at Vidhan Soudha later.

A doctor by profession, Acharya was first elected to assembly in 1996 and was among the senior most members of the Cabinet. Dr Acharya was survived by his wife, four sons and a daughter. (JUBS)