Akhilesh Das Gupta

Public and parliamentary career

Das’s political career included municipal leadership and long service at the national level. He served as mayor of Lucknow in the early 1990s and was later a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, the Council of States, from the mid-1990s through 2014. During his parliamentary tenure he took part in debates and committees relating to education, sports and social development.

Sports administration and contributions

Alongside politics, Das played a prominent role in promoting badminton and multi-sport activity in India. His positions included:

• President of the Badminton Association of India
• Vice President of the Badminton Asia Confederation
• Member of the Executive Council of the Badminton World Federation
• Vice President of the Indian Olympic Association

In these capacities he worked on athlete development, tournament organization and international representation, helping raise India’s profile in the sport during a period of growing national success.

Education, philanthropy and institutions

Das was also active in education and philanthropy. He established and supported institutions of higher learning in Lucknow, including a university that bears the family name, aimed at expanding access to professional and technical education in the region. His work combined institution building with scholarships and community initiatives.

Dr. Akhilesh Das Gupta died of a heart attack on 12 April 2017 at a hospital in Lucknow. His career is remembered for bridging politics, sport and education, and for long-term involvement in national sporting governance.