Ganesh Karnik
Captain, Ganesh Karnik is an Indian former military officer and politician who was the Member of the Karnataka Legislative Council from 22 June 2012 to 21 June 2018. (He was the Chief Whip of the opposition party in Karnataka Legislative Council. He was also the former Deputy chairman of the NRI forum of Karnataka and has sizeable following with the NRI kannadigas. He is a retired Captain of the Indian Army and served as a Commissioned Officer along North, East and Western Borders of India and voluntarily retired from the service. He has served Nitte Education Trust in  various positions.) Early life. Ganesh Karnik was born in the little town of Kervashe in Karkala Taluk of Udupi District, Karnataka. Having had his basic education in Karkala, he obtained his Degree in 1981 from Agricultural University Dharwad. Military career. Karnik joined the Indian army in 1981, and served as a commissioned officer along the North-East and the western border of the country. After completing his contractual period of service in the army, he got a voluntary retirement from the Army in 1988 as a Captain. Political career. Capt. Karnik has been part of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh from his  early days and has held important roles at the organisation. He is actively involved in social activities and has collaborated with Ramakrishna Mission, Mangalore on Swach Bharath initiatives. Upon his retirement from the Indian Army, Capt. Karnik joined the Lamina Group of Industries in 1989. Capt. Karnik served as director at Nitte Education Trust, the umbrella organisation for all educational initiatives run by Shri Vinaya Hegde. He used his oratory and conflict resolution skills to transform the organisation's institutions into gaining international recognition. Capt. Karnik entered the field of politics as a member of the Karnataka Legislative Council in  2006 representing the South-west Teachers’ Constituency (which includes Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Shimoga, Kodagu, Chikmagalur districts and Channagiri and Honnalli taluks of Davanagere district). He has represented the teachers in the Council. In June 2012, Karnik was elected as a member of the Karnataka Legislative Council representing the Bangalore South-East Teachers’ Constituency. Currently he is the Chief Spokesperson of the BJP for Karnataka.