Hailing the contribution of Karnataka to the country’s development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that Bengaluru city represents the country’s start-up spirit which has placed India in a separate league.
He began his speech by paying rich tributes to the great leaders from the land of Karnataka during a programme at the inauguration of the “Statue of Prosperity” in Bengaluru. “I am fortunate to have arrived in Bengaluru on a very special day. It’s a day on which falls the birth anniversary of two great sons of the nation- Sant Kanaka Das and Maharshi Valmiki. I pay my tributes to both of them,” said PM Modi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also unveiled the “Statue of Prosperity,” the 108-foot bronze statue of Bengaluru founder Nadaprabhu Kempegowda.
The statue has been built to commemorate the contribution of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, the founder of the city, towards the growth of Bengaluru. “Conceptualized and sculpted by Ram V. Sutar of Statue of Unity fame, 98 tonnes of bronze and 120 tonnes of steel have gone into making this statue,” the PMO said.
The Prime Minister received a warm welcome in Bengaluru on Friday.
The Prime Minister said it is the big day for Karnataka as it gets the Vande Bharat Express, the Bharat Gaurav Kashi Yatra train, and a world-class airport terminal.
He said the 108-foot-tall statue of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda will inspire Indians to build their identity globally as leaders.
“Today’s event is an example of our Yuva’s spirit. The Vande Bharat train flagged off today is a glimpse of New India’s identity,” he said.
He said that a start-up is not only an organisation, it is the faith and ambition to achieve greater heights in the progress of a nation.
The Prime Minister said India is known all over the world for its start-ups, and Bengaluru plays a vital role in getting India established as a start-up hub.
“Bengaluru represents the ‘Start-up’ spirit. Across the world, India is known for its start-ups. Karnataka is also getting benefitted from the investment happening in the country,” PM Modi said.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi dedicated Terminal 2 of Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport.
With the inauguration of T2, passenger handling capacity as well as counters for check-in and immigration will double, helping the people immensely.
Built at a cost of around Rs 5,000 crore, Terminal 2 will be able to handle around 5–6 crore passengers annually, up from the current capacity of 2.5 crore.
Terminal 2 is designed as a tribute to the Garden City of Bengaluru, and the passenger experience is meant to be a “walk in the garden.” Passengers will travel through more than 10,000 square metres of green walls, hanging gardens, and outdoor gardens, and these gardens have been made in India using indigenous technology.
This airport has already set a precedent for sustainability by utilising 100 percent renewable energy across the campus. Terminal 2 has been created with sustainability principles woven into the design.
“The Airport has already established a benchmark in sustainability with 100 per cent usage of renewable energy across the campus. Terminal 2 has been created with sustainability principles woven into the design. Based on the sustainability initiatives, Terminal 2 will be the largest terminal in the world to be pre-certified platinum rating by US GBC (green building council) prior to commencing operations,” the PMO said.
