Kempe Gowda lived as a universal man, was a symbol of unity and progress: D.K. Shivakumar

Calling Nadaprabhu Kempe Gowda a symbol of unity and progress, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday said the founder of Bengaluru, though born in a Vokkaliga community, lived as a “universal man” whose contributions continue to inspire people across communities.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Kempe Gowda Bhavan and during the Kempe Gowda International Awards presentation held to mark the 516th birth anniversary of the city’s founder, Mr. Shivakumar said that Kempe Gowda’s accomplishments are eternal.

Mr. Shivakumar said, “None of us are born into a caste by choice. Kempegowda belongs to every community. He is the pride of this land and all its people.”

Highlighting infrastructure initiatives for the State’s capital, the Deputy CM said tenders worth ₹17,000 crore are being prepared for 40 km of tunnel roads, in addition to 118 km of elevated corridors. “Projects worth ₹1 lakh crore are being planned for the comprehensive development of Bengaluru,” he said.

We started Kempe Gowda Jayanti: CM

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who was also present, recalled that it was the Congress government in 2017 that officially began celebrating Kempe Gowda Jayanti on June 27 every year. It was also under the party’s tenure that the Kempegowda Development Authority was constituted, and Bengaluru airport was named after the iconic city founder, he said.

“Of the 33 Jayantis officially celebrated in Karnataka today, more than half were introduced during Congress rule,” Mr. Siddaramaiah noted. He also said that the government was working on the development of Kempe Gowda’s memorial at Kempapura in Magadi.

The Chief Minister also congratulated the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Kempegowda International Airport, and Mysore Soaps and Detergents Ltd. for receiving this year’s Kempe Gowda International Awards.