Build another golf course in Bengaluru: CM D.K. Shivakumar suggests
More interested in creating history than remembering it
There is no city that can match Bangalore’s climate and human resources.
I’m happy when another golf course is called to lay the foundation stone.
Let the critics do it.
Bangalore, June 24:
“Bangalore Golf Club is celebrating 150 years. You build another golf course in Bangalore. Then this celebration will have meaning,” CM D.K. Shivakumar sent a message.
CM DK Shivakumar participated in the 150th anniversary program of the Bangalore Golf Club held at the Sankey Road Golf Club on Wednesday.
“The golf club has completed 150 years. Congratulations to everyone on this occasion. This is the first private event I am participating in after becoming the Chief Minister. I am a member here rather than the CM. That is why I have come. My words will not please you. I do not want your applause. Whether you like it or not, I have to speak the truth,” he said.
More golf courses should have been built in Bengaluru.
“This club has a great history. History cannot be created by forgetting history. None of you are small. There are officials and businessmen who have the capacity to build Bangalore. A golf club with a history of 150 years, I believe that by now three or four golf courses should have been built in Bangalore. What is lacking in you?” he asked.
“When Atal Bihari Vajpayee came to lay the foundation stone of Kempegowda International Airport, he said that world leaders would first come to Bengaluru and then go to other cities in the country. I have raised this issue many times in the Assembly. You have not run out of time. You still have time. I am aware of your potential,” he said.
More interested in writing history than remembering it
“The permission given to you has been renewed because of Bommai. If it were me, I would not have renewed it. If I had to renew the permission, I would have made it a condition that I start a couple of golf courses for the next generation. I am more interested in writing history than reading history. Criticisms die, works survive. Those who criticize do it,” he opined.
“If you are stronger, you have more enemies. If you are less strong, you have fewer enemies. If you are not strong at all, you have no enemies. Only those who walk stumble,” he said.
There is no city that can match Bangalore’s climate and human resources.
“When I went to Davos, the Maharashtra CM came and asked why you are not signing any agreement. I said, there is no need for that. The climate and human resources of Bengaluru are like no other. While Silicon City, California has 13 lakh engineering professionals, there are 26 lakh engineering professionals in Bengaluru. It has the highest number of medical colleges, and more than 13 thousand doctors are trained every year. There are 270 engineering colleges,” he explained.
“Bengaluru has a population of 1.40 crore and 1.35 crore vehicles. On average, there is one vehicle per person there. Other cities have roads covering 19% of the area. We have only 8% of the area. In such a situation, the problem of traffic congestion has increased. Bengaluru is not a planned city. If we want to expand in the future, shouldn’t we think about it? At least now, find a land of about 200 acres,” he advised.
Let the critics do it.
“I am interested in increasing greenery in Bengaluru. Where else is there space besides Cubbon Park and Lalbagh? Therefore, I have discussed with the Forest Department and suggested that wherever there is Forest Department land within 18 km of Bengaluru, instead of leaving it empty, they should build parks,” he said.
“Even if you scold me, you should follow my guidance. Acquire land in the next five years. Call me to lay the foundation stone for the construction of another golf course. When I proposed to build a solar park in Pavagad, everyone laughed. We built a solar park without acquiring a single acre out of 13,000 acres,” he said.
“Even now, when we are planning to build a tunnel road, there is criticism. Is it possible to demolish a building in Bangalore city instead of doing that? Let the critics do it. We are planning to expand the double-decker to 50 km. We have considered expanding the metro in Bangalore,” he said.
