He was 92.
A recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honour, Krishna served as Karnataka's chief minister from 1999 to 2004 and as India's external affairs minister from 2009 to 2012 as part of a six-decade-long political career.
Krishna transitioned from an impressive academic career to politics when he won the assembly elections as an independent candidate from Maddur in 1962, stunning then Congress veteran and sitting minister HK Veeranna Gowda.
The former Maharashtra governor breathed his last at 2.45am on Tuesday. The Karnataka government announced a three-day state mourning as a mark of respect to the veteran leader. His last rites will be performed with full state honours at his native village in Mandya district on Wednesday.
The state mourning is from December 10 to 12, an official notification said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his cabinet colleagues S Jaishankar and Nirmala Sitharaman and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and other leaders paid rich tributes to Krishna, who left the Congress in 2017 and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.
"Shri SM Krishna Ji was a remarkable leader, admired by people from all walks of life. He always worked tirelessly to improve the lives of others," Modi said on X. "He is fondly remembered for his tenure as Karnataka's chief minister, particularly for his focus on infrastructural development. Shri SM Krishna Ji was also a prolific reader and thinker," the PM said.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Kapil Sharma says 'Don't spread hate' amid criticism for alleged racist remark against Atlee
Comedian-talk show host Kapil Sharma has been facing intense criticism for seemingly making a joke about filmmaker Atlee's appearance on his comedy-talk show, The Great Indian Kapil Show.
UP Police announce ₹25,000 reward for accused in Sunil Pal, Mushtaq Khan abductions
The Meerut Police in Uttar Pradesh has announced a reward of ₹25,000 for information on Lavi Pal, the main accused in the abductions of comedian Sunil Pal and actor Mushtaq Khan.
DERA BASSI TO GET EIGHT PONDS
Considering the depleted underground water table in Dera Bassi, Mohali deputy commissioner (DC) Aashika Jain on Wednesday said eight new ponds for recharging purposes will be prepared in the sub-division, expanding over 20 acres each.
HC SEEKS HOME SECY'S RESPONSE TO BHEORA'S TREATMENT PLEA
The Punjab and Haryana high court on Wednesday sought response from the Chandigarh home secretary and others to a plea by Paramjit Singh Bheora, one of the convicts in the assassination case of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh, seeking directions to the administration to get his treatment done at PGIMER or some other premier health institute.
Man gets 20-yr RI for raping minor
A local court on Wednesday sentenced a man to 20 years rigorous imprisonment (RI) for raping a 13-year-old girl in 2018.
2 DAYS ON, ACCUSED STILL ON THE RUN
The Chandigarh administration on Wednesday informed the Punjab and Haryana high court (HC) that noise limits were breached at singer Diljit Dosanjh's concert on December 14 for which action against the organisers has been recommended.
Common cadre staff union seeks central pay scales, hold protest
SAYS ₹2,800 GRADE PAY NOT IMPLEMENTED DESPITE REPEATED REPRESENTATIONS
Mohali: Youth's stunt ride on open jeep ends in police action
A video of youth performing a dangerous stunt on a moving open jeep in Kharar went viral on social media, prompting swift action from police.
Fee not paid even once', 2,831 street vendors lose their licence
The civic body had given them 30 days to clear the dues
FIR against two doctors of Landmark Hospital
Patient had undergone treatment for leg bone fracture at the hospital