Radhakrishnan credited Hegde with transforming Karnataka into a governance model through his persistent focus on accountability and citizen participation. Central to this legacy was the 1985 enactment of the Karnataka Zilla Parishads, Taluk Panchayat Samitis, Mandal Panchayats and Nyaya Panchayats Act—a legislative push that anticipated the 73rd Constitutional Amendment by shifting power to local institutions. The Vice President noted that Hegde’s governing philosophy rested on a nested hierarchy of strength: empowered citizens fortifying local governments, which in turn bolstered states and the nation as a whole.
Beyond policy, Radhakrishnan shared an intimate portrait of Hegde’s personal austerity, recounting a definition of wealth that prioritized health, education, and shelter over material accumulation. By highlighting the strengthening of the Lokayukta under Hegde’s tenure, the Vice President emphasized that the former Chief Minister viewed public office as a stewardship of trust rather than a position of privilege. The ceremony drew a wide circle of political figures, including Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, former Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu, and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, all gathered to mark the centenary of a man who famously urged the next generation to prioritize the nation above all else.
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