Mangaluru : Noted city-based tax accountant and former Rotary District Governor Surya Prakash Bhat breathed his last on Wednesday, January 8, following a brief illness. He was 62 and is survived by his wife and two daughters.

Surya Prakash Bhat suddenly fell ill and had been in coma for the last two weeks due to complications arising from acute diabetes. He was undergoing treatment in the ICU at Yenepoya Hospital, Kodialbail. However he failed to respond to treatment and passed away at 9.20 pm on Wednesday.

He was an active Rotarian. He was an active member of Rotaract Club of Mangaluru Central during his youth and then joined Rotary Club of Mangaluru in 1989. After holding various positions in club level and the district level including Rotary District Secretary during the year 1995-96, he became club President of Rotary Club of Mangaluru during its Golden Jubilee year in 1999-2000. Then on he rose to the position of District Governor of RI Dist. 3180 during 2003-2004. He was presently a member of the Rotary District Advisory Council.

Popularly known as ‘Suri’, Surya Prakash Bhat was born in Mangaluru on May 8, 1957. He had his early education in Milagres High School and graduated from St Aloysius College. He did his articleship under Kamath & Rao Chartered Accountants. He has been practicing as a Tax Consultant since 1980 specializing in the fields of Goods & Service Tax (GST).

He has earlier served as Treasurer and Secretary of Kanara Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mangaluru. He also has been a Member of Finance & Banking Committee of FICCI, New Delhi; member of Advisory Board, department of Commercial Taxes as well as of Customs & Central Excise. He was one of the founders of The Karavali Automotive Sports Club, Mangaluru and a Trustee of Shri Somanatha Temple, Someshwar, Mangaluru.

Had been regularly anchoring programme like ‘Janadhwani’, a programme which highlights problems of common man, elections special and budget analysis in the local TV Channel.

His mortal remains will be kept for public viewing at Rotary Balabavan, opposite Mangala Stadium on January 9 from 8.30 am to 10.30 am. Cremation will be held at Boloor cemetery.

Surya Prakash Bhat Joined Rotaract Club in 1976-77 and had won record 14 out of 15 awards in the district (Comprising of 8 Revenue Districts) as the best President during 1984-85. He served as Rotaract District Secretary during 1985-86.

He has been addressing various institutions, organizations and service clubs on matters of general interest, personality and individual development and Rotary. Has addressed the prestigious Rotary Institutes at Colombo and was trainer for the DGN’S at Cochin Institute, Bangkok Institute & Singapore Institute. He was the president during the ‘Golden Jubilee Year’ of Rotary Club of Mangaluru during 1999-2000 when the club had bagged a record 28 awards in all.

He attended Rotary International Conventions at Singapore in 1999, at Denmark/Sweden in 2006 and New Orleans, USA in 2011, and Sydney, Australia in 2014. He was District Secretary during 1995-96 and then was the Club President during 1999-2000. He had initiated unique district projects like ‘Sanjeevini’ students’ parents insurance scheme, ‘Jeeva’ highway ambulance project, mid-day meal for students of 6th and 7th standard children, mobility training centre for the blind etc.

During the Governorship, RI Dist 3180 topped the world in membership development with 15 new clubs and 852 new members. He has represented the Dist 3180 to Council on Legislation (decision taking body of Rotary International) at Chicago, USA during 2006-07. He was awarded ‘The Citation for Meritorious Service’ by The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International in recognition of his devoted efforts for the furthering of better understanding and friendly relations of people of the world. He was also been awarded ‘The Service above Self’ citation of the Rotary International for the year 2011. He was the coordinator for Zone 6A & 6B covering around 12 countries for Literacy Programme of R I for the year 2006-07.

He was the Chairman of the District Trainers Training Programme at the Rotary Institute 2017-18 at Kuala Lampur, Malaysia.