NCG was Ananth Kumar's lucky ground

BENGALURU: A halt at the National College Grounds in Basavanagudi was perhaps inevitable on HN Ananth Kumar’s last journey on Tuesday. Kumar loved the sprawling expanse. It was close to his home and Kumar spent a lot of time playing sport and discussing political strategies at the ground, sources close to the family said.
The last public viewing was organised at the grounds.Students from schools and colleges turned up to pay their last respects. Also present were a few RSS workers and BJP supporters who turned nostalgic since they had heard Kumar’s speeches at the same venue.
“When Kumar had the time, he would call friends over to the ground and plan strategies,” a source said. “He considered the grounds lucky.”
Some students carried roses which they threw on to his casket — since they were not allowed to get close — as they filed past. “Ananth sir is the reason why we all eat healthy food,” said Sangarsh R, a Class 8 student of a private school. “His concept Adamya Chetana has benefited all of us.”
N Narasimhan, a businessman, said he used to bunk college to listen to Kumar’s speeches during BJP rallies. “Whenever AB Vajpayee, Jayaprakash Narayan and LK Advani visited to campaign, Kumar would speak for some time,” Narasimhan said. “His speeches would drive people to vote for the BJP.”