Organized by: Department of Kannada and Culture, Government of Karnataka; Bangalore Development Authority (BDA); Bengaluru Abhivruddhi Pradhikara; Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA)

The 517^th Jayanthi of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, the founder of Bengaluru, was celebrated with great enthusiasm on 27 June 2026 under the leadership of the Government of Karnataka. The celebration was organized jointly by the Department of Kannada and Culture, Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), Bengaluru Abhivruddhi Pradhikara, and the Greater Bengaluru Authority.

The event not only commemorated the remarkable contributions of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda towards the establishment and development of Bengaluru but also integrated environmental conservation through the Green Bengaluru Mission, making the occasion socially and ecologically significant.

Objectives

The celebration was organized with the following objectives:

• To pay tribute to the visionary founder of Bengaluru, Nadaprabhu Kempegowda.
• To create awareness about Bengaluru’s rich history and cultural heritage.
• To promote environmental sustainability through the Green Bengaluru initiative.
• To encourage citizens to participate in tree plantation and fitness activities.
• To strengthen public participation in ecological restoration and urban greening.

Programme Highlights

The celebrations commenced with a series of activities designed to promote health, culture, and environmental awareness.

1. Kempegowda Run
The programme began with a 10 km Run and 5 km Walkathon, which witnessed enthusiastic participation from citizens, students, government officials, athletes, and environmental volunteers. The event aimed to promote physical fitness while spreading awareness about protecting Bengaluru’s environment.

2. Floral Tribute
A floral tribute was offered to the statue of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, where dignitaries and invited guests paid homage to the visionary leader for his invaluable contribution to the city’s foundation and development.

3. Plantation Drive
As part of the Green Bengaluru Mission, an ambitious plantation programme was conducted with the target of planting 15 lakh (1.5 million) saplings across Bengaluru. Educational institutions, government departments, resident welfare associations, NGOs, volunteers, and citizens actively participated in this large-scale environmental campaign.

The plantation drive formed part of the Bengaluru Urban Ecological Restoration Mission (2026–2030) and was also recognized as an Official Guinness World Record Attempt for mass tree plantation.

Participation

The event witnessed overwhelming participation from:

• Government officials and elected representatives.
• Educational institutions.
• Faculty members and students.
• Environmental organizations and NGOs.
• Resident Welfare Associations.
• Corporate volunteers.
• Thousands of citizens from across Bengaluru.

Among the participating institutions, the East West Group of Institutions demonstrated exemplary commitment by deputing approximately 800 students along with faculty members to actively participate in the plantation drive, making a significant contribution to the successful completion of the 1.5 million sapling plantation initiative.

The remarkable public response reflected the collective commitment towards preserving Bengaluru’s ecological heritage.

Participation from East West Group of Institutions

The East West Group of Institutions made a remarkable contribution to the Green Bengaluru Plantation Drive by actively participating in the mass plantation initiative organized as part of the 517^th Jayanthi celebrations of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda. Approximately 800 students, accompanied by faculty members and coordinators, enthusiastically participated in the campaign. The students actively took part in planting saplings and pledged to contribute towards the conservation and maintenance of Bengaluru’s green environment.

The enthusiastic participation of the students reflected the institution’s commitment to environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and community service. Their involvement significantly strengthened the success of the plantation drive and encouraged young minds to become active contributors to ecological restoration and climate action.

Recognition and Achievement

The East West Group of Institutions received special recognition for its outstanding contribution to the Green Bengaluru Plantation Drive. With the active participation of approximately 800 students and faculty members, the institution made a significant contribution to the successful execution of the 1.5 million sapling plantation initiative under the Bengaluru Urban Ecological Restoration Mission (2026–2030).

In recognition of this remarkable achievement, the East West Group of Institutions was awarded the Bronze Medal along with a Certificate of Appreciation by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka. The award acknowledged the institution’s dedicated efforts towards environmental conservation, sustainable development, and active community participation in the Official Guinness World Record Attempt for mass tree plantation. Participants who planted more than 5,000 saplings under the mission received the Bronze Medal of Appreciation.

This prestigious recognition reflects the institution’s commitment to nurturing environmentally responsible citizens and promoting meaningful participation in initiatives that contribute to ecological restoration and the sustainable development of Bengaluru.

Significance of the Event

The celebration successfully combined heritage, public participation, fitness, and environmental responsibility into a single civic movement. By linking Kempegowda’s vision of city building with sustainable urban development, the programme inspired citizens to actively participate in creating a greener and healthier Bengaluru.

The initiative is expected to contribute towards:

• Increasing Bengaluru’s green cover.
• Improving air quality.
• Conserving biodiversity.
• Mitigating climate change.
• Enhancing environmental awareness among future generations.

Conclusion

The 517^th Jayanthi of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda was celebrated with great enthusiasm, combining cultural heritage with environmental responsibility. The large-scale plantation drive under the Green Bengaluru Mission successfully mobilized citizens, educational institutions, government departments, and volunteers towards creating a greener Bengaluru.

The successful participation of approximately 800 students and faculty members from the East West Group of Institutions exemplified the institution’s commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement. The conferment of the Bronze Medal and Certificate of Appreciation by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka stands as a proud milestone, recognizing the institution’s significant contribution to the Green Bengaluru Plantation Drive and its role in advancing the vision of a greener, healthier, and more sustainable Bengaluru.