When John F Kennedy wrote to former CM SM Krishna of Karnataka | India News

NEW DELHI: Former Karnataka chief minister SM Krishna, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 92, is considered a former US president John F Kennedy as his “political guru”.
In 1960, when Democratic leader JFK was campaigning for the presidency, 28-year-old law student Krishna, then studying in the United States, wrote to Kennedy and offered to run on his behalf Indian American communities.
When Kennedy was elected president the following year, he remembered the young Indian student’s support.
The Padma Vibhushan awardee shared the thank you letter from Kennedy which said, “I hope these few lines express my heartfelt appreciation for your efforts during the campaign. I am very grateful for the great enthusiasm of my employees. I’m just sorry I did that.” I couldn’t personally thank you for the excellent work you’ve done on behalf of the Democrats.
“Without your tireless commitment and loyalty, the victory on November 8th last year would not have been possible,” it said.

The Karnataka government has declared three days of national mourning in honor of SM Krishna. A public holiday has been announced for Wednesday and flags at key government offices will be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect. There will be no government events or entertainment programs during this period.