Bengaluru: Minister for Large and Medium Industries R V Deshpande unveiled the foundation stone for Ramakrishna Hegde Cultural Centre on the occasion of the 90th birth anniversary of late chief minister Ramakrishna Hegde at a cultural programme organized by Prasiddha Foundation in Bengaluru.
The Ramakrishna Hegde Cultural Centre is an initiative of Prasiddha Foundation, of which the late Hegde was a Founding Trustee. Padmasri awardee Prathibha Prahlad said that this would be a fitting tribute to him who wanted Bengaluru to be the cultural capital of India. “The Cultural Centre will be a meeting place for ideas and creativity and will be open to the public to make use of the resources on offer,” said Prathibha Prahlad. She explained that a cultural city is a city with character and Bengaluru needs more such spaces for culture to restore its old glory.

Minister Deshpande said he was very happy to be partaking in this momentous function. He recalled of those days as a minister in Hegde’s cabinet and said that he was very happy that such a great personality like Hegde would have a Cultural Centre named after him. He assured all possible support to this project and expressed confidence that Prathibha Prahlad would make this Centre vibrant and happening.

Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi spoke of the importance of culture as an expression of India’s soft power. He said that Bengaluru was originally known as the science capital of India, later as the IT Capital and with this Centre and Prathibha Prahlad’s vision, it would soon become the cultural capital.

Lawyer Ram Jethmalani fondly recalled his times with Hegde. “Such politicians are a rare breed and I am very happy that Hegde will finally have a Cultural centre in his name”, he said.

The short and memorable ceremony that was attended by several politicians and important persons started with a dance performance by Prathibha Prahlad’s disciples. Later, a short film on the journey of Prasiddha Foundation during the last 25 years was screened.