S. M. Krishna: Father of Karnataka’s IT revolution
The future of India’s Silicon Valley: Salute to the role of S.M. Krishna S. M. Krishna’s visionary policies towards the IT revolution in Karnataka established Bengaluru as a global IT hub. Under his leadership, Bengaluru has emerged as the ‘Silicon Valley of India’ and has maintained its image even today.
S. M. Krishna gave priority to the IT and biotechnology sector after becoming the Chief Minister in 1999. He had said, “Computers and IT are my two main weapons in making Karnataka a modern state.” By setting up the Bangalore Agenda Task Force (BATF), he prepared new plans for urban development. He has tried to bring Karnataka to the forefront and has also succeeded.
Bengaluru becoming a global IT hub
Krishna inspired major industrialists like Azim Premji of Wipro, Narayana Murthy of Infosys and Pradeep Kar of Microland to invest. During his tenure, software exports grew from Rs 3,200 crore to Rs 15,000 crore in five years. The plans for Cyber Park in Mysore and Hubli were also part of his thinking.
E-governance and social change
S.M. Krishna brought administrative reforms by promoting e-governance. He started the video conferencing facility, which connected nine districts of the state. His policies brought technological development as well as social and economic changes. Due to which all the states became prosperous.
Tribute message of Karnataka Government
On the demise of SM Krishna, Ashwini Puneet Rajkumar, wife of former Kannada star Puneet Rajkumar, said, “SM Krishna led Bengaluru towards the future by envisioning it as the Silicon Valley of India and laid its foundation as the IT capital of India.” The former CM had studied in America and by taking the right steps at the right time, he got the state recognition as Silicon Valley.
Not only this, he also contributed to improving the public service delivery system across the state. The Karnataka government has declared three days of state mourning in his honour. Arrangements were made for his last rites in Bengaluru from Wednesday morning, after which his last rites were performed with state honours in his hometown Maddur.
Innovation and Contribution
S.M. Krishna planned cyber parks not only in Bengaluru but also in Mysore and Hubli. Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy described him as a ‘visionary civilised leader’ and said that his contribution was in strengthening the economic foundation of Karnataka.
S.M. Krishna played an important role in transforming not only Bengaluru but the entire Karnataka into a technology hub. Under his leadership, the state’s IT exports reached close to $100 billion, with Bengaluru contributing 30-40%. His legacy will always be remembered in Karnataka’s economic and technological progress.
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