Karnataka Schools, Colleges To Remain Closed Tomorrow; Government Declares Public Holiday In Honour Of Former CM SM Krishna

Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Government has declared tomorrow, December 11, 2024, a public holiday for all government buildings, including schools, colleges, and other aided institutes in remembrance of former Karnataka Chief Minister SM Krishna.

The government has also announce a three day mourning period from December 10-12, 2024. He will be cremated with full state honours in his village in the Mandya District.

According to the notice, "His last rites will be performed with full state honours. No functions and no celebrations will be held in these three days from December 10 to December 12."

The national flag will be flown at half-mast at all government buildings during this period, and the administration will not host any entertainment or cultural events.

Who was SM Krishna?

Krishna, 92, a law graduate, studied in the United States, graduating from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and the George Washington University Law School in Washington, DC, where he was a Fulbright Scholar. He was born in Somanahalli in Karnataka's Mandya district on May 1, 1932.

He was Karnataka's Chief Minister from October 11, 1999, to May 28, 2004, as well as External Affairs Minister under Manmohan Singh's United Progressive Alliance government from 2009 to 2012 and Maharashtra Governor.

He joined the BJP in March 2017, ending an almost 50-year affiliation with the Congress. He retired from active politics last year.

He is survived by his wife Prema and their two kids, Shambhavi and Malavika.

With agencies inputs