BENGALURU: Chief Minister Basavaraja Bommai has said that a statue of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda will be installed on the premises of Vidhana Soudha within a year.
Speaking at the event to mark the 513th birth anniversary of Kempegowda at the Banquet Hall of Vidhana Soudha, the Chief Minister responded to the demand put forth by Nanjavadhoota Swamiji, who spoke earlier.
“The Vidhana Soudha was built by Kempegowda, so it is natural to desire that a statue should be erected on the premises of Vidhana Soudha. Our government will do it,” the CM remarked.
With regard to the revision of textbooks, he said, “While some of the contents have been revised, some others have been retained. Answers have been sent to the questions raised by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda.”
Higher Education Minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan, who is also vice-chairperson of the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Heritage Area Development Authority, said that Bengaluru had become a convergent place of talents from across the world and was one of the top 10 growing cities of the world. He also remarked that the previous Chief Minister, B S Yediyurappa, had played a crucial role in implementing the Kempegowda statue installation project at Bengaluru International Airport.
“Kempapura in Magadi taluk, the birthplace of Kempegowda will be developed. A Kempe Gowda Study Centre will be established in Bangalore University. Bengaluru Habba will be celebrated in a grand manner as a three-day event and a coffee table book will be brought out in the honour of Kempegowda”, he listed out.
The first Kempegowda International Award was presented to former Chief Minister S M Krishna, Infosys founder N R Narayana Murthy and former badminton player Prakash Padukone. The award carried a purse of Rs 5 lakh each along with a plaque.
S M Krishna, who attended the function, was presented the award on stage. On behalf of Narayana Murthy, his wife Sudha Murty, and on behalf of Prakash Padukone, his son Vimal received the award.
On receiving the award, Krishna said, that the status of Bengaluru should be taken to new heights at the global level. Further, he added that the cities like Mysuru, Hubballi, and Shivamogga should grow. Remembering former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he thanked Singh for naming the Bengaluru airport after Kempegowda. He also announced that he will donate the cash of Rs 5 lakh which he received with the award to the Ramakrishna Ashrama of Mysuru which laid a crucial role in laying the foundation for his studies.
Comparing former CM Krishna to Bhishma of Mahabharata, Sudha Murty claimed that the city would not have attracted people unless Kempegowda had laid the strong foundation for its growth. She also requested the CM to develop cities such as Hubballi and Dharawad so as to generate employment locally.
Stating there were persistent attempts to divide and rule by creating a wedge between Vokkaliga and Veershaiva Lingayats in the state, Nanjavadhoota Swamiji opined that people should not give room for such possibilities. “During his tenure, BS Yediyurappa honoured Kempegowda with the utmost respect and fulfilled many demands. We need to preserve heritage spots like how it is being done in England,” he stated.