Bangalore : “That the towering personality and architect of Karnataka unification Kengal Hanumanthaiah  became the Chief Minister at a young age  of 44 is testimony to his immense talent and the leadership qualities,” said Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

He was presiding over the 104th birth anniversary celebration of Kengal Hanumanthaiah organized at the Vidhana Saudha in Bangalore on May 26, Saturday by the Kengal Hanumanthaiah Memorial Trust.
Kengal Hanumanthaiah was not only instrumental in building Vidhana Saudha in Bangalore, but was also successful in proving  how it could be best used for the progress of the just independent nation, he further said.

Union Minister for Corporate Affairs M Veerappa Moily who was present as a chief guest urged the chief minister to bring out in a book form the  contents of the diary maintained by Kengal Hanumanthaiah for  50 years.

Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda in his address, said the government was ready to take steps towards bringing out a stamp in honour of Kengal as requested by the T rust.

The Trust President DK Shivakumar,  Convenor Sripada Renu, Union Minister of State for Railways KH Muniappa, KPCC Chief Dr G Parameshwar,  Opposition leader in Legislative Council Mohammad,  Dhruvanarayan, MP and others were present.