Former Lucknow Mayor Akhilesh Das Gupta passes away

Lucknow: Former Union Minister and Congress leader Akhilesh Das Gupta died, here, on Wednesday. He passed away after suffering a heart attack, the doctors said.

Son of former UP Chief Minister and freedom fighter late Babu Banarasi Das, Akhilesh Das has served as Union Minister of State for Steel during the UPA government and a mayor of Lucknow.

It is worth mentioning that under his guidance the sport of Badminton in India has touched new heights and has become the second most popular sport in country after Cricket.

Under his leadership India has won back to back Olympic Medals in the year 2012 and 2016 in Badminton.

About Akhilesh Das:

• He had also held many important posts in the Congress for nearly two decades.
• Akhilesh Das also had stakes in real estate, media and several educational institutions aside from an active interest in politics and sports.
• He held country’s most prestigious office as ‘Member of Parliament’ (Rajya Sabha) for 18 years serving three consecutive terms of 6 years each from November 1996 to November 2014.
• He actively served as Secretary of Congress Parliamentary Party between 2003 to 2006 under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Smt. Sonia Gandhi.

Dr. Akhilesh Das Gupta has held many crucial portfolios on sports on the National and International fronts :

• President, Badminton Association of India (BAI)
• Chairman, Premier Badminton League (PBL)
• President, Uttar Pradesh Olympic Association(UPOA)
• Vice President, Indian Olympic Association(IOA)
• Vice President, Badminton Asia Confederation(BAC)
• Executive Council, Badminton World Federation (BWF)

He established an International level Badminton Institution in the name of ‘Babu Banarasi Das Badminton Academy’ in Lucknow to promote Youth and aspiring sports persons.

He has been further associated with several other social organizations and was involved in various activities for the benefit of the society. He had travelled to almost the entire world promoting social development across all sections of the societies.

In slides: Pictures of Akhilesh Das's condolence meet...