Senior Congress leader and former taluk panchayat member Narayana S. Poojary of Hejamady, Udupi, died in the early hours of Friday, 7 November. He was 78 years old.
He is survived by his wife, a son and two daughters. His death marks the passing of a Congress worker who had been active in Udupi district politics and public life for decades.
A life in public service
Narayana Poojary had served as president of the Satyanarayana Temple. He was also a member of the Udupi taluk Land Tribunal in 1975, a role that placed him at the centre of land matters in the taluk at the time.
His public work was not limited to one post. Over the years he took part in local Congress work and in community affairs in Hejamady and the surrounding areas of Udupi district.
Fight for farmers' rights
One of the causes Narayana Poojary is remembered for is his fight for the rights of Chalageni farmers in the Kaup constituency. He took up the farmers' cause and pressed for their rights in the region.
The Chalageni farmers' struggle was a long-running local issue in Kaup. Poojary's role in it made him a known figure among farmers and Congress workers in the constituency.
Condolences from Congress leaders
KPCC president B. K. Hariprasad, Vinay Kumar Sorake and other Congress leaders condoled his death. Their condolences underline the standing he had within the party in the district and the state.
The leaders who condoled his death had worked with him over the years in Udupi district politics. Their messages reflect the respect he commanded among party workers.
A career rooted in Hejamady
Narayana Poojary's base was Hejamady, and his work stayed rooted in Udupi district. From the Land Tribunal in 1975 to the temple presidency and the farmers' cause, his public life was spent in local institutions and local struggles.
He was a taluk panchayat member as well, which gave him a formal role in local government. That role, along with his party work, made him a familiar name in Udupi's public life.
The family he leaves behind
He is survived by his wife, a son and two daughters. The family will carry out the last rites, and Congress workers and well-wishers in Hejamady and Udupi are expected to pay their respects.
His death closes a long chapter of Congress work in Udupi district, built over decades of local politics, temple service and the fight for farmers' rights.
