Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar along with Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan during The birth centenary celebration of the former Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday announced that the proposed medical college in Uttara Kannada, the home district of former Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde, and a major road in Shivaram Karanth Layout in Bengaluru will be named after the veteran leader.Making the announcements at the centenary celebrations of Hegde, Mr. Shivakumar recalled his contribution to decentralisation, education and institution-building and said his legacy continued to influence Karnataka’s political and administrative landscape.‘A leader who creates leaders’Mr. Shivakumar said Hegde had played a significant role in creating a new generation of political leadership. Referring to the 73rd and the 74th Constitutional Amendments, he said Hegde had experimented with decentralised governance in Karnataka much before these changes gave local self-government a formal framework.“A leader is one who creates leaders, not followers,” Mr. Shivakumar said, recalling Hegde’s approach to nurturing leadership at different levels.He also highlighted the veteran leader’s contribution to expanding professional education in Karnataka. The growth of medical and engineering education in the State had been aided by the opening up of institutions and expansion of opportunities, he said.Award for best panchayatMr. Shivakumar said he had discussed with the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister about a proposal to institute the ‘Ramakrishna Hegde Best Panchayat Award’. This is to be presented every year on Hegde’s birth anniversary to a panchayat that performed exceptionally well. The award would help carry forward Hegde’s vision of Panchayati Raj and rural development, he added.A statesman: Vice-PresidentVice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan described Hegde as a statesman and a nationalist whose cotribution went beyond his tenure as Chief Minister.Mr. Radhakrishnan said Hegde’s public life was marked by decentralisation, accountability, citizen participation, federalism and faith in democratic institutions. He said Hegde sought to make local governments genuine instruments of development and democratic participation.“Public office is not a position of power; it is a sacred trust,” Mr. Radhakrishnan said, underlining the importance of accountability in public life.He encouraged talent: SiddaramaiahFormer Chief Minister Siddaramaiah paid tribute to Hegde and recalled his contribution to Karnataka’s political and public life.“Hegde had a keen eye for talent and the willingness to recognise and encourage it. It was because of him that I became a Minister during my first term as an MLA,” he said.Mr. Siddaramaiah also recalled Hegde’s contribution to strengthening democratic and political institutions and his distinct place in Karnataka’s political history.Naidu recalls Hegde’s democratic valuesFormer Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu described Hegde as a democrat to the core and recalled his commitment to decentralisation and strengthening local governments.Mr. Naidu said Hegde believed that powers, funds and functionaries should be transferred to local bodies. He also recalled personal instances of Hegde extending support to political leaders during periods of political uncertainty.“Be positive, be constructive, and do not be obstructive,” Mr. Naidu said, presenting Hegde’s approach to politics as a lesson for the younger generation. He said Hegde’s life demonstrated dedication, character, calibre and conduct and urged young politicians to study his public life and draw lessons from it.Mr. Naidu also stressed the need for political rivals to respect one another and democratic institutions. Political opponents should not be treated as enemies, he added.A documentary and book on the former Chief Minister brought out by his family were released on the occasion. Published - August 29, 2026 08:35 pm IST
