Delivering his Independence Day speech at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Ground here after unfurling the national flag, he said a nation was best built with love, mutual co-operation and amity, and not by mutual hatredness and ill-will.
"In recent times, the country has witnessed certain inhuman incidents, such as atrocities on Dalits, minorities and women which have made every right-thinking Indian to hang his head in shame and question the very existence of civilised society," he said.
Patriotism, in its truest sense, was respecting the freedom of others to follow the practices of their choice. "Patriotism cannot be reduced to mere sloganeering. Patriotism is ushering in an equitable society through the ideals enunciated in the Constitution of India," he said.
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Stating that the result of his government's 'sincere efforts' during the last three years was before the people to be seen, the Chief Minister said it was a matter of "immense pride" that through the four budgets presented, his government had been able to fulfill nearly three-fourths of the promises made by the Congress in its election manifesto.
Pointing out that the residents of Bengaluru suffer from water-logging and flooding, whenever there is heavy rain, Siddaramaih said this situation was due to illegal encroachment and construction on water bodies and storm water drains.
He said in addition to removing structures and evicting illegal dwellers, stringent action was being initiated against builders as well as officers who colluded with land encroachers.
"In the last three years, our government has evicted and confiscated 4950 acres of encroached land worth Rs 52,000 crore in Bengaluru Urban district," he said.
Describing Bengaluru as one of the fastest growing metropolises in the world and land of opportunities, the Chief Minister said his government has befittingly accorded top priority for its development.
Also tenders have already been invited for construction of a steel bridge from Minerva Circle to Hudson Circle.
Promising that as planned, the first phase work of 'Namma Metro' (Metro Rail Service) would be completed by November, he announced that the planning of implementation of the third phase has begun, which envisages connectivity from Central Silk Board Junction to Krishnarajapura and from Nagawara to Kempe Gowda International Airport.
Noting that Karnataka has become the most favoured destination in India in the last three years for investors, he said according to statistics recently released by the Centre for the period from January to June this year, the state stood first in the country pertaining to investment flow with a total of Rs 67,757 crore.
Listing irrigation related development activities initiated by government, Siddaramaih referred to Mahadayi river water issue and said government shall never compromise on issues affecting the state interests and shall safeguard them at all times.