Anil Madhav Dave will be remembered as devoted public servant

Union Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave passed away today morning at the age of 61. From last few months he was not well and complained of uneasiness and admitted to AIIMS.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condoled the sudden demise of Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave, saying that it was a personal loss.

Dave passed away at his official residence here. The exact time is not yet known. The incident came to light at around 7.30 a.m., when his staff tried to wake him up.

"Absolutely shocked by the sudden demise of my friend and a very respected colleague, Environment Minister Anil Madhav Daveji. My condolences," Modi tweeted.

"He will be remembered as a devoted public servant. He was tremendously passionate towards conserving the environment," said Modi.

"I was with Anil Madhav Daveji till late last evening, discussing key policy issues. This demise is a personal loss," he added.

Dave's death was confirmed by family friend, Meena Agarwal. She said: "His body will be taken for embalming. And will be later taken to Indore."

Congress President Sonia Gandhi condoled his death saying Dave will be remembered for his humble personality.

"Shocked by his sudden demise, he was a soft spoken and gentle human being ,Sonia Gandhi said in a statement.

Along with this BJP leaders also condoled the death of Anil Madav Dave.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said: "Deeply shocked and saddened at the sudden demise of my dear colleague, Anil Madhav Daveji. My sincere condolences."

"Shocked and extremely sad to know the sudden demise of my colleague Anil Madhav Dave,... My heartfelt condolences," Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said in a tweet.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said that the late BJP leader was the "perfect definition of a gentleman and good human being. I'll forever miss his smiling character. May his soul RIP."

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said: "It is shocking and unbelievable that one of our most smiling, charming and youngest at heart colleague, Anil Madhav Daveji is no more with us."

Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani said unwavering efforts of Shri Anil Madahv Dave to preserve the Narmada will be remebered for generations. He was a true environmentalist.

Dave was born in Badnagar in Madhya Pradesh. He has been a member of the Rajya Sabha since 2009. He was sworn in as a Minister of State with independent charge of Environment, Forest and Climate change in 2016.