The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Singapore Kannadigas urged to share their success with State

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 29, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Singapore Kannadigas urged to share their success with State

Staff Reporter

`If you set your mind on it, Kannadigas back home will also get the chance to say with pride that non-resident Kannadigas have helped them achieve progress'

BANGALORE: Some of the credit for Singapore's booming economy and its emergence as an investment destination should go to south Indians, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has said.

The Chief Minister, who is touring Singapore, told Kannadigas there that Karnataka had a special link in commerce and trade with Singapore.

Praising Lee Kuan Yew, the architect of modern Singapore, he said the former Prime Minister had a dream and went about building his dream city-State, which proved he was a man of great vision worthy of emulation.

He reminded the Kannadigas of Singapore of the Kannada verse that exhorts them to be a Kannadiga wherever they are. Though the unified Karnataka was only now celebrating its golden jubilee, none must forget that it was the culmination of a 2,000-year history and heritage. The Kannadigas in Singapore were doing the State proud by celebrating their roots and culture, he said.

Sharing with them the State's plans to celebrate `Suvarna Karnataka', Mr. Kumaraswamy said it would cover the gamut of art, culture science, history and heritage of the State. A "Cultural Diary" was being planned to be launched on the Web. For Singapore's Kannadigas, he set the task of giving something back to their home State, just as NRIs of Punjab had returned to their State and shared their success and prosperity.

"If you set your mind on it, Kannadigas back home will also get the chance to say with pride that non-resident Kannadigas have helped them achieve progress. Please share your experience, expertise, and knowledge with us," he said.

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