Ananth Kumar passes away; National Flag half mast in his honour

New Delhi: The centre announced to fly the National Flag at half mast throughout the country to honour the late Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ananth Kumar.

He lost his life early in the morning of Monday at a private hospital. Kumar (59) was undergoing treatment for cancer.

University exams have been postponed. Mysore university postpones graduation exams and degree exams. Bangalore University postpones all Graduation, Post-Graduation, engineering and other exams as a mark of respect to union minister Ananth Kumar.

Ananth Kumar's last rites would be held tomorrow at a crematorium in Chamrajpet.

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Union Ministry statement said, "Following the unfortunate demise of Ananth Kumar, it has been decided that National Flag will fly at half mast throughout the country today."

The statement added, "As a mark of respect, a state funeral will be accorded."

About Ananth Kumar:

- He was one of the few ministers to have served in the earlier NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

- Kumar was the youngest minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee's cabinet in 1998 and served as the Civil Aviation minister, also Minister for Tourism, Sports, Youth Affairs and Culture, Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation.

-He is also remembered as the first person to speak in Kannada in the United Nations.

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Expressing his grief over Kumar's sudden demise, President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted, "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."