Udupi: P B Acharya, the former governor of Nagaland and a native of Udupi, breathed his last on Friday, November 10. Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya was a highly regarded figure, having dedicated his services to organizations like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, and the BJP. Notably, he was the second individual from coastal Karnataka to hold the Governor’s position, following Margaret Alva, and the first from the GSB (Gaud Saraswat Brahmin) community.
Acharya was part of the inaugural batch of MGM College (1948-50) in Udupi. His commitment to the RSS was evident when he served as the head of the RSS Vidyaranya unit in Kadabettu, where he faced imprisonment for over six months in 1948 when the RSS was banned.
As a key member of the BJP, Acharya served as the national secretary during the tenure when Narendra Modi held the position of national general secretary between 1995 and 2001. During this period, Modi managed five north Indian states, while Acharya took charge of the northeastern states.
In recognition of his contributions, Acharya held the position of governor in Nagaland, Tripura, Assam, and additionally served as the governor of Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. His passing marks the end of a significant chapter in the political landscape, leaving behind a legacy of service and leadership.
