Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Tuesday celebrated Bengaluru founder Kempe Gowda’s 507th birth anniversary across the state.
“Kempe Gowda’s birth anniversary will be celebrated at all taluks, districts including Bengaluru on June 27 every year,’’ Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said after inaugurating the celebrations at the Banquet Hall of Vidhana Soudha.
It is for the first time; the state government has decided to celebrate Kempegowda Jayanthi on June 27 and it is expected to be an annual affair henceforth.
“The objective of celebration is to educate people on the achievements and contributions of Bengaluru founder. We have to get inspiration from the developmental works taken during his regime,’’ Siddaramaiah said.
Stating that great personality like Kempegowda should not be confined to one particular community, the chief minister said people from all communities should celebrate his birth anniversary.
“Kempegowda’s Jayanthi should have been celebrated many years ago but was delayed. It will be celebrated every year without any problems,’’ he said.
Kempegowda erected four towers in four corners of the city, with the hope that the city would grow till these far corners. He selected location that is 3,000 feet above the sea level for the construction of Bengaluru.
“Kempegowda constructed hundreds of lakes for public purpose. He also established areas exclusively for particular trade or business in the city,’’ he said.
The chief minister said the government will name one of the three universities to be established in Bengaluru after Kempegowda.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Energy D.K. Shivakumar appealed the government not to declare holiday on June 27 to celebrate Kempegowda birth anniversary.
“The whole world is looking at Bengaluru. Let us celebrate Kempegowda’s birth anniversary meaningfully by planting saplings and participating in social activities,’’ Shivakumar said.
Minister for Kannada and Culture Umashree lauded the contributions of Kempegowda to Bengaluru.
Union Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Karnataka Ministers R. Roshan Baig, T.B. Jayachandra, Ramalinga Reddy, M Krishnappa, M.R. Seetharam, A Manju and Bengaluru Mayor G. Padmavathi, former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda, Bengaluru Rural lawmaker D.K. Suresh were present on the occasion.
