**Executive Summary**
On June 27, 2026, Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan attended the 517th Birth Anniversary celebrations of Nadaprabhu Sri Kempegowda in Bengaluru. The event served to honor the founder of Bengaluru’s legacy in urban planning, sustainable development, and social reform. The Vice-President emphasized the ongoing relevance of Kempegowda’s vision for achieving "Viksit Bharat" and called for national focus on water conservation and nation-building.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Visionary Urban Development**
* Kempegowda laid the foundations for planned urban growth through well-designed markets, neighborhoods, and public spaces.
* His historical model of interconnected lakes and water channels provides a template for addressing modern challenges such as water scarcity and climate change.
* Large-scale tree plantations were a core component of his environmental foresight.
* **Social and Cultural Ideals**
* The Vice-President described Bengaluru as a "Mini Bharat," reflecting Kempegowda’s vision of a city where people of all faiths, scholars, and artisans could prosper together.
* Kempegowda’s governance was rooted in social reform, human dignity, and the promotion of education and ethical values.
* Despite being rooted in Kannada culture, his leadership embraced linguistic and cultural diversity.
* **National Integration and Future Goals**
* Bengaluru’s status as India’s technology and innovation capital is attributed to the institutional foundations established five centuries ago.
* The document advocates for the interlinking of rivers to ensure optimal utilization of water resources for the agricultural sector.
* Kempegowda’s principles of long-term planning are presented as essential to India’s journey toward becoming a developed nation.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Youth**
**Impact**
The youth are identified as the primary drivers for future nation-building and are encouraged to adopt historical leadership ideals.
**Action Required**
Draw inspiration from Kempegowda’s life to contribute meaningfully to society and participate in the development of the country.
**Farmers**
**Impact**
Farmers are positioned as the primary beneficiaries of proposed national water management strategies.
**Action Required**
Benefit from the advocated interlinking of rivers intended to ensure the optimal utilization of water resources across the country.
**Urban Planners and Administrators**
**Impact**
Contemporary urban development strategies are influenced by the historical sustainability and infrastructure models mentioned in the document.
**Action Required**
Apply lessons from Kempegowda’s interconnected lake systems and planned neighborhood structures to address present-day environmental and scarcity challenges.
Key Entities Referenced
Nadaprabhu Sri Kempegowda: The founder of Bengaluru whose 517th Birth Anniversary was celebrated; recognized for his vision of planned urban development, sustainable water systems, and inclusive governance.
Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan: The Vice-President of India who presided over the anniversary celebrations and linked Kempegowda's historical ideals to modern national development.
Viksit Bharat: The national vision for a developed India, cited as being guided by Kempegowda’s principles of long-term planning, sustainability, and institution-building.
Nadaprabhu Sri Kempegowda Foundation: The organization associated with preserving the legacy of Bengaluru’s founder and coordinating the commemorative events.
Bengaluru: The city central to the discussion on urban development, characterized as India's technology capital and a 'Mini Bharat' reflecting cultural diversity.
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice-President pays tributes to Nadaprabhu Sri
Kempegowda on his 517th Birth Anniversary in
Bengaluru
Bengaluru’s identity as a ‘Mini Bharat’ is a testament to
Kempegowda’s vision: Vice-President
Kempegowda’s vision of sustainable development, social
harmony and inclusive governance continues to inspire
modern India: Vice-President
Great nations are built by those who think beyond their
lifetime: Vice-President at Kempegowda Birth Anniversary
celebrations
Posted On: 27 JUN 2026 7:59PM by PIB Delhi
The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, today attended the 517th Birth Anniversary
celebrations of Nadaprabhu Sri Kempegowda in Bengaluru and paid rich tributes to the founder of
Bengaluru, describing him as a visionary administrator, city builder, environmentalist and social reformer
whose ideals remain relevant even today.
Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan graced the 517th Birth Anniversary
celebrations of Nadaprabhu Sri Kempegowda in Bengaluru today.
Addressing the gathering, the Vice-President said Sri Kempegowda was
remembered not merely as a ruler but as a leader who governed with a… pic.twitt
er.com/zYpxca67mt
— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) June 27, 2026
Addressing the gathering, the Vice-President said Sri Kempegowda was remembered not merely as a ruler
but as a leader who governed with a vision for the welfare of the people. He noted that Kempegowda
envisioned an inclusive city where farmers, traders, artisans, scholars and people of different faiths could
live and prosper together, adding that present-day Bengaluru truly reflects that vision as a “Mini Bharat.”Highlighting Kempegowda’s remarkable foresight, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan said he laid the foundations
of planned urban development through well-designed markets, neighbourhoods, water systems and public
spaces. He observed that Kempegowda’s interconnected network of lakes and water channels, coupled
with large-scale tree plantation, demonstrated India’s age-old wisdom of sustainable development and
offers valuable lessons for addressing present-day challenges such as water scarcity and climate change.
The Vice-President also lauded Kempegowda’s commitment to social reform, cultural harmony and
human dignity. He said that while deeply rooted in Kannada culture, Kempegowda embraced linguistic
and cultural diversity and believed that a great city must nurture education, culture and ethical values.Noting that Bengaluru has emerged as India’s technology and innovation capital, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan
said its success rests on the strong foundations laid by Kempegowda nearly five centuries ago. He added
that Kempegowda’s ideals of long-term planning, sustainability and institution-building continue to guide
India’s journey towards the vision of Viksit Bharat.
Calling upon the youth to draw inspiration from Kempegowda’s life, the Vice-President urged them to
contribute meaningfully to society and nation-building. He also stressed the importance of water
conservation and advocated interlinking of rivers to ensure optimal utilisation of water resources for the
benefit of farmers across the country.Among those present on the occasion were the Governor of Karnataka, Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot;
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, Shri H. D. Kumaraswamy; Union Minister of State for
Railways and Jal Shakti, Shri V. Somanna; Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly,
Shri R. Ashoka; former Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka and MLA, Dr. C. N. Ashwath Narayan; Dr.
Nirmalanandanatha Mahaswamiji; President of the Nadaprabhu Sri Kempegowda Foundation, Prof. M.
Krishnegowda; and Shri Basavamurthy Madara Chennaiah Swamiji.
***
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