Tales of transformation, pathway to Viksit Bharat

A revolution in agro-processing is turning farmers in the arid parts of Karnataka into entrepreneurs, converting blocks into manufacturing hubs. It holds lessons for other parts of India

- Nirmala Sitharaman

A visit to the beautiful state of Karnataka that I am privileged to represent in the Council of States — a land whose very name evokes images of lush green landscapes, waterfalls, ancient hills, verdant valleys, pristine rivers, and a history that stretches back millennia — is always invigorating. This visit was a journey through time, a study in contrasts, and a powerful reminder of our nation’s immense potential.

My first stop was the historical site of Hampi, located in the newly formed Vijayanagara district. The ruins of Hampi stirred in me both awe and melancholy. Once the magnificent capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, Hampi was described by the Portuguese traveller Domingo Paes, who visited around 1520-22 during Krishna Deva Raya’s reign as “the best provided city in the world”, of its capital as being “as large as Rome, and very beautiful to the sight,” a city “full of riches and precious stones... where they sell everything”.