Daijiworld Media Network - Kaup
Kaup, Feb 16: K P Acharya, 78, the visionary founder of the Kaup Vidyaniketan group of educational institutions, passed away early Monday morning, leaving a deep void in the fields of education, social service, and religious philanthropy.
A close associate of the late Bhaskar Shetty, former chief secretary of the Karnataka Government, Acharya established Kaup Vidyaniketan Public School three decades ago through the Anantaraaj Charitable Trust.
The institution, the first ICSE-affiliated school in Kaup taluk, has educated thousands of students over the years. Known affectionately as the “Ajja” of the community, he was particularly revered for providing free education to students scoring over 80% and for nurturing those excelling in sports and cultural activities.
A devout devotee of Lakshmi Janardana, Acharya actively guided the renovation and management of numerous temples across Kaup, including the Sri Lakshmi Janardana Temple, Sri Hosa Marigudi Temple, Koppalangadi Sri Vasudeva Swamy Temple, Kalya Sri Moorane Mariyamma Temple, and Sri Kalkuda Devasthana. “He left an indelible mark on every community he touched,” said a local resident.
Acharya also played a pivotal role in promoting arts, literature, and sports in Kaup. He successfully organised the Kannada Sahitya Sammelan, state- and national-level sports meets, and talent competitions, providing a platform for young talent to flourish.
He is survived by his wife, Shweta Acharya, co-director of Kaup Vidyaniketan Schools, and two grandchildren.
Legislators Gurme Suresh Shetty, Yashpal Suvarna, former ministers Vinay Kumar Sorake and Pramod Madhwaraj, former MLA Lalaji R Mendon, K Vasudeva Shetty, Manohar S Shetty, Ratnakar Shetty Nadikere, Mattaru Ratnakar Hegde, Madhava R Palan, Vikram Kaup, Shekhar Salyan, Ramesh Hegde Kalya, Jeevan Shetty, Nityananda Shetty, Suresh Shetty Ayodhye, Vidyadhar Puranik, Deviprasad Shetty Belapu, Umesh Shetty Kalatturu, Yogeesh Shetty Balaji, Dr K Prashanth Shetty and hundreds of others have expressed profound grief and paid tribute to his contributions.
The mortal remains of K P Acharya were kept at Kaup Vidyaniketan School followed by the final rites at the Beedu Hill, Udupi.