The Hindu : Karnataka News : Leaders recall Hegde's contribution to State

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Monday, Aug 30, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Leaders recall Hegde's contribution to State

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, AUG. 29. Speakers at a function organised by the Rashtriya Navanirmana Vedike on the occasion of the 78th birth anniversary of Ramakrishna Hegde here on Sunday fondly recalled their association with the late Chief Minister.

Speaking of his association with Hegde, the Minister for Large and Medium-scale Industries, P.G.R. Sindhia, said Hegde had the knack of understanding the pulse of the people.

Mr. Sindhia said Hegde read all the hand-written letters he received.

He pointed out that Hegde did not believe in discriminating people on the basis of caste and said that the former Chief Minister had groomed a number of people who were in good positions now.

"M.P. Prakash, Minister for Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs, and I were groomed and guided by Hegde," Mr. Sindhia said.

Some of the speakers compared him with Jawarharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

The former Minister, R.V. Deshpande, described Hegde as a man of foresight and said that the former Chief Minister was disillusioned with the present-day politics.

`Golden period'

Mr. Prakash said the five-and-a-half years of Hegde's chief ministership was a "golden period" for the State. With Abdul Nazeer Sab, Hegde introduced the panchayat raj system and "realised his dream of decentralisation of power." He was dreamer and one who appreciated beauty.

He easily mixed with common man and also with experts, industrialists, and others.

"Though I was away from Mr. Hegde for political reasons, we always worshipped him. He was the one who brought us to this level," Mr. Prakash said.

The scientist, Raja Ramanna, said Hegde was known for his scientific temperament. The writer, Siddalingaiah, spoke about Hegde's interest in literature and his journalist skills. The former Minister, V.S. Krishna Iyer, the BJP legislator, Ramachandre Gowda, were present.

Shakuntala Hegde, wife of Hegde, his daughters, Mamata and Samata, son, Bharat Hegde, and Hegde's relatives attended the function.

Bommai's call

The former Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader, S.R. Bommai, asked his party workers to get ready for elections "as the Congress-Janata Dal (S) coalition will not last for long."

"Any Government formed with the sole purpose of being in power and for making money will not last for long. There is so much of infighting and confusion in both the parties that people have got to know the true colours of this Government within three months. Elections can be announced anytime and we should be prepared for it from now itself," he told party workers at the 78th birth anniversary celebrations of Hegde.

Recalling Hegde's contribution to the development of Karnataka, Mr. Bommai said the former was responsible for several reforms in administration, including the decentralisation of power and 25 per cent reservation for women.

"He was active not only in State but also national politics. He initiated several welfare measures for the poor and took decisions after consulting others.

On the occasion of his birth anniversary we need to create awareness about his principles and try to follow them," he said.

Govt. criticised

The former Minister and Janata Dal (U) State President, B. Somashekar, said the Congress-Janata Dal (S) coalition was a representative of managements of private professional colleges, contractors, and real-estate agents.

Holding the Government responsible for the suicides by students seeking admissions to professional colleges, he said: "The Government has failed in filing proper affidavits in the Supreme Court to resolve the admissions imbroglio.

It has done nothing to safeguard the interests of students."

The party leaders, Michael Fernandes, M.P. Nadagouda, and M.K. Nagamani Nage Gowda, spoke.

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