Chief Minister Basavaraja Bommai, said on Friday, that the Bengaluru founder Nadaprabhu Kempe Gowda was a great visionary and added that the state government was engaged in activities of respecting him which he duly deserved.

He was speaking while flagging off the sacred mud collection campaign across the state which will be used during the unveiling of 108 feet statue of Kempe Gowda at BIA by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 11.

He claimed that the history of the land of Karnataka indicated that the and chieftains who ruled here were more interested in implementing welfare measures rather than expanding their kingdom. Likewise, Kempe Gowda laid Foundation Foundation for the city of Bengaluru which paved way for both harmonious living and growth of commercial activities. While laying the foundation for the city he also gave prominence for social justice, he explained.

The Statue has been aptly named as “Statue of Prosperity” and the 108 ft. tall statue of Kempe Gowda symbolises the aspireration of the government that the city of Bengaluru should grow to its greatest heights.

Further, Bommai said, that the history should not be forgotten, and added, that the government would ever remember and get inspired by virtues of Kempe Gowda in it:s commitment to build a prosperous state.

Dr CN Ashwath Narayan, Minister and Vice- Chairperson of Kempe Gowda Heritage Area Development Authority said that the mud was one among the five elements (one of the pancha bhutas) and the usage of mud collected from across the state for the development of Kempe Gowda theme park, symbolises the unity of the state.

Narayan hailed the keenness shown by former Chief Minister Yeddyurappa and Chief Minister Basavaraja Bomma in works pertaining to erection of the statue.

On the occasion folk dances such as Dollu Kunitha, Kamsale, Somana Kunitha, Tala Maddale, Goravana Kunita were performed.

While speaking, Chief Minister Basavaraja Bommai, Former Chief Minister Yeddyurappa and MP Sadananda Gowda lauded the efforts of Minister Ashwath Narayan in making erection of statue a reality at BIA.

It is also noted here that Minister Narayan is the one who suggested the name ‘Statue of Prosperity” for the statue.

Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri Mutt, Sri Nanjavadhuta Swamiji, Sri Kumara Chandrasekharanatha Swamiji, MPs Tejaswi Surya, PC Mohan, Ministers Araga Gyanendra, R Ashok, K Sudhakar, Sunil Kumar, Gopalaiya, Narayana Gowda, Bhairathi Basavaraju, Muniratna, members of Kempe Gowda Heritage Area Development Authority Talakadu Chikkarange Gowda, Ganga Hanumaiah, Sheikh Mastan, Krishnappa, Chairperson of Okkaliga Development Corporation were present.