Bengaluru, June 27: On the occasion of the 517th birth anniversary of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar paid floral tributes at the 108-foot tall ‘Statue of Prosperity’ near Bengaluru International Airport on Saturday. He launched a special campaign to plant 1.5 million trees in the city.
The Chief Minister stated that this initiative is dedicated to the visionary thinking of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda regarding environmental conservation and sustainable urban development.
During the tribute at the bronze statue located in Devanahalli, prominent figures such as Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji from the Adichunchanagiri Math, Nanjavadhuta Swamiji from the Spatikpura Math in Sira Taluk, and Nischalanandanatha Mahaswamiji from the Vokkaligara Math were also present. Later, the Chief Minister visited the theme park developed near the statue.
In his address, Shivakumar extended greetings to the people of Karnataka on Kempegowda Jayanti, emphasizing that the founder’s vision, administrative acumen, and ideals continue to guide the city’s development.
He mentioned, “Several programs have been designed with Kempegowda’s thoughts and values in mind. Along with the tree planting campaign, a marathon is being organized, and a project worth ₹100 crores for the extensive development of the Kempegowda Fort in Mangadi has also been initiated.”
The Chief Minister revealed that the process of acquiring 10 acres of land around the Kempegowda memorial in Mangadi has begun, with 5.5 acres already purchased.
He instructed the Airport Authority to develop necessary facilities near the airport’s trumpet interchange to familiarize incoming travelers with the contributions of the city’s founder, Kempegowda.
Shivakumar stated, “We want every person arriving in Bengaluru to learn about the city’s founder. The Airport Authority has been asked to prepare a detailed proposal for the government.”
Previously, the government allocated five acres of land for the construction of the Kempegowda Bhavan near Sumanahalli and proposed establishing a town planning college in Kempegowda’s name.
The Chief Minister praised the previous BJP government’s efforts in constructing the 108-foot statue, noting that it is not clearly visible to travelers heading to the airport. Following discussions with saints and Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, he directed the Airport Authority to take necessary steps to enhance its visibility.
He added that there has been significant growth in the green area around the statue compared to last year, and the theme park’s construction is nearly complete, with an inauguration planned soon. He welcomed the Airport Authority’s commitment to maintain the theme park.
Shivakumar announced that the celebration of Kempegowda Jayanti will not be limited to the Vidhana Soudha but will be observed across all 28 assembly constituencies in Bengaluru for the next 28 years. Additionally, programs will be organized at the assembly and ward levels throughout the state.
Highlighting Bengaluru’s rapid expansion, Shivakumar noted that the city’s population has reached approximately 14 million, with around 13 million registered vehicles. He stated that the government aims to extend metro services to the airport within the next year and plans to expand the Bengaluru metro network to nearly 500 kilometers in the next two years.
He emphasized that Kempegowda is a leader for the entire society, not just one community. The purpose of celebrating his birth anniversary is not to honor a specific caste but to promote his administrative model, vision, and commitment to the overall development of Bengaluru.
It is noteworthy that Nadaprabhu Kempegowda I, a 16th-century ruler, is regarded as the founder of modern Bengaluru. He established a mud fort in 1537 and developed planned markets, residential areas, ponds, and temples. His contributions to water conservation, agriculture, trade, and urban planning are still considered the foundation for Bengaluru’s development today.
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