Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the centenary celebrations of former Karnataka Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde at a function organised in Bengaluru.

In his address, the Vice President described Hegde as a statesman who stood for decentralisation, three-tier governance, strong federalism and the strengthening of the Lokayukta. Ramakrishna Hegde, he noted, considered public office a stewardship of trust. He believed in local governance and citizen participation through gram sabhas and panchayats. He tried to create systems through which the government could become more responsive, accountable and closer to citizens.

The Vice President noted that a meaningful tribute and respectful homage to the stature of Hegde would be through imbibing his democratic values and model of good governance. The event was attended by Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and former Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, among many others.