karnataka cm sm krishna, the father of 'Brand Bengaluru', departed this world at 92: Remembering his legacy
 

karnataka cm sm krishna and visionary leader Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna, popularly known as SM Krishna, died at 92. He played a key role in molding the modern political landscape of Karnataka and nurturing Bengaluru into an IT hub of the world. SM Krishna died early on Tuesday morning at 2:45 am at his residence. He is survived by his wife, Prema Krishna, and two daughters.

Born on May 1, 1932, in Somanahalli, Karnataka, SM Krishna's journey from a law professor to a celebrated political leader is marked by a series of remarkable achievements. His most notable work was his vision for Bengaluru, which has made him earn the title of the father of "Brand Bengaluru." During his tenure as Karnataka Chief Minister from 1999 to 2004, he initiated many initiatives that put the foundation in place for Bengaluru to evolve into a global IT hub.

Krishna understood the significance of the IT industry and initiated the Bangalore Agenda Task Force (BATF) in 1999. Nandan Nilekani and Azim Premji, to name a few, led the BATF to make Bengaluru an alternative to Silicon Valley. His government focused on infrastructure development, innovation, and an environment that is amenable to tech companies, resulting in thousands of jobs and international acclaim for the city.

Apart from Bengaluru, Krishna had a distinguished political career spanning decades. He was Karnataka's Chief Minister, Maharashtra's Governor, and India's External Affairs Minister from 2009 to 2012. After the shift to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2017, Krishna continued to shape the political discourse in Karnataka. He eventually retired from active politics in 2023, but his legacy continues to impact the state's development trajectory.

Even after stepping away from politics, Krishna remained deeply invested in Bengaluru's future. In 2022, he urged the government to preserve "Brand Bengaluru," recognizing the challenges posed by rapid urbanization and infrastructure strain. His vision and efforts to ensure Bengaluru’s global stature as an innovation hub continue to inspire policymakers and entrepreneurs alike.