SM Krishna: A Visionary Leader Who Transformed Bengaluru and Karnataka

Remembering SM Krishna: Visionary Leader Who Transformed Bengaluru and Shaped Karnataka’s Development

The nation has mourned the death of the former Karnataka Chief Minister and External Affairs Minister SM Krishna who died at the age of 92 in Bengaluru. This visionary leadership and transformative policies that left behind a legacy for which Karnataka was reshaped, catapulted Bengaluru into global maps.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tributes to SM Krishna as a man who remained an extremely hard worker until his very last in life attempting to improve lives. On the social media platform X, sharing memories, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “Shri SM Krishna Ji was an exemplary leader. Everyone had an admirer in Shri Krishna Ji. He kept working towards improving other people’s lives. People will fondly remember the tenure he had as the Chief Minister of Karnataka, especially during his work on infrastructures.” The prime minister talked about his intellectual pursuits of Krishna as well. Modi said he was a readymade reader and a thinker.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also condoled his passing, recalling Krishna’s development efforts for Karnataka and his term in the office of the Minister for External Affairs for India. Leaders from across the spectrum – political – Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and minister Priyank Kharge paid rich homage to the towering statesman whose service and work have never been seen even otherwise.

A Life of Academic Excellence and Political Service
SM Krishna was born on 1 May 1932 at Maddur, Karnataka. Academics followed by a great political career of this stalwart began from Maharaja’s College, Mysuru and later law studies from the Government Law College, Bengaluru. Further educational qualification earned at Southern Methodist University in Texas and George Washington University in Washington, DC make him one of India’s most learned political leaders with being a Fulbright scholar.

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Krishna’s political career was more than five decades old, with excellent contributions at the state and national levels. He was Karnataka’s Chief Minister from 1999 to 2004. He was a leader of initiatives that transformed Bengaluru into a global IT hub during that period. His focus on infrastructure development, corporate-style governance, and public-private partnerships created the base for Bengaluru to become India’s Silicon Valley.

From State Leader to Global Diplomat
Krishna’s statesmanship was not limited to Karnataka. He was India’s External Affairs Minister from 2009 to 2012 and played an important role in strengthening India’s global diplomatic ties. His leadership was characterized by a balanced approach to foreign policy, which was focused on enhancing India’s international stature. He also served as the Governor of Maharashtra from 2004 to 2008 and as Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from 1989 to 1993.

He was a prominent figure of the Indian National Congress before he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2017 due to ideological differences. This speaks volumes about his commitment to the service of the public above anything else. His outstanding contributions in both parties have been recognized by him being awarded the Padma Bhushan in the year 2023.

A Legacy of Vision and Dedication
SM Krishna’s legacy is most special because of his visionary approach to urban development. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said, “Karnataka will always be indebted to Krishna for his contributions to the growth of the IT-BT sector, especially during his tenure as Chief Minister.” Minister Priyank Kharge echoed similar sentiments and pointed out how Krishna’s strategic positioning of Bengaluru as a global city continues to benefit the state.

As the nation bids farewell to SM Krishna, his life will be an inspiration for generations. His commitment to bettering lives, innovation, and India’s global stature will be remembered for generations. He was a transformative leader who not only left an indelible mark on Karnataka but also etched his name in the annals of Indian history as a statesman of unparalleled vision and service.

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