Union Environment and Forest Minister Anil Madhav Dave passed away on Thursday morning. He was 60 years old and had been suffering from lung cancer. He had been admitted at the AIIMS hospital where he was rushed to at 9am. The doctors tried to resuscitate him, but could not.
Known as the Founder of the Jan Abhiyan Parishad that interlinks and empowers SHGs and NGOs, his work on Narmada conservation was well recognised. A Rajya Sabha MP representing Madhya Pradesh in Parliament he also served as a Vice President of the BJP’s Madhya Pradesh unit and an RSS Swayamsevak. He was also a member of various committees in Parliament and was also in the parliamentary forum on global warming and climate change. Hailing from Barnagar, Ujjain, he was known as the staunch swadeshi who preferred a fruit diet when abroad as he felt he couldn’t risk touching cow meat. Healso wrote books like “from Amarkantak to Amarkantak”, ”Beyond Copenhagen”, was a great orator and could influence masses and bring a new revolution in country’s development. He had also been a member of the committee on water resources, consultative committee for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. He also initiated the development of bio-toilets in Hoshangabad schools. In one of the speeches, he is noted to have said that since he didn’t have kids, he would have enough time and so will make sure that people have a good evening after long working hours. His work and attachment with people was remarkable.
As the nation expressed its loss of this great leader, the President and many ministers expressed their condolences online. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he was extremely shocked and described his death as a personal loss. He writes that Mr. Dave will be always remembered as a devoted public servant and was passionate for people’s welfare as well as the environment.
