sir m visvesvaraya short essay in english

M. Visvesvaraya Biography

Birthday: September 15 , 1860 ( Virgo )

Born In: Muddenahalli, Chikballapur, Kingdom of Mysore (now in Karnataka)

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father: Mokshagundam Srinivasa Shastry

mother: Venkatalakshmamma

Civil Engineers Indian Male

Died on: April 14 , 1962

place of death: Bangalore

education: Engineering

awards: Knight Commander of the Indian Empire (KCIE) Bharat Ratna

You wanted to know

= what are some key contributions of m. visvesvaraya.

M. Visvesvaraya was instrumental in the construction of the Krishna Raja Sagara dam and the flood protection system in Hyderabad.

= How did M. Visvesvaraya contribute to the field of engineering?

M. Visvesvaraya is known for his innovative irrigation techniques and his contributions to the development of the public works department in India.

= What was the significance of M. Visvesvaraya's role as a statesman?

M. Visvesvaraya served as the Diwan of Mysore and played a crucial role in the economic and industrial development of the state.

= How did M. Visvesvaraya contribute to the education sector?

M. Visvesvaraya was a proponent of technical education and played a key role in the establishment of the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore.

= What was M. Visvesvaraya's approach to sustainable development?

M. Visvesvaraya emphasized the importance of sustainable development and advocated for the efficient use of resources for the benefit of future generations.

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Visvesvaraya was an avid reader and believed in the power of education. He promoted the establishment of libraries in rural areas to improve literacy rates.

Despite being a highly accomplished engineer, Visvesvaraya had a deep appreciation for the arts. He was a patron of classical music and dance, and supported many artists throughout his life.

Visvesvaraya was a firm believer in sustainable development. He advocated for the conservation of natural resources and the implementation of eco-friendly practices in engineering projects.

In his later years, Visvesvaraya took up gardening as a hobby and found great joy in tending to his plants. He often shared gardening tips with friends and family, showing his nurturing side beyond his professional life.

See the events in life of M. Visvesvaraya in Chronological Order

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Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya: An Eminent Engineer And An Excellent Statesman 

June 5, 2024 by Priya Radhakrishnan

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, or Sir M Visvesvaraya, was an eminent personality of Karnataka. He was a noteworthy civil engineer, the Dewan of Mysore, a statesman, and an able administrator. Thus, he not only donned many different roles but also excelled in them. 

Read: Sir M Visvesvaraya Rain Water Harvesting Theme Park In Bangalore

Life of Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya 

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya was born on September 15th, 1861, in Muddenahalli, Chikkaballapur district, the then Kingdom of Mysore, during British Rule. Sir M. Visvesvaraya was born to Mokshagundam Srinivasa Sastry and Venkatalakshmi. Belonging to a Telugu-speaking community from Mokshagundam, Andhra Pradesh, Visvesvaraya’s ancestors had migrated to Mysore long before his birth. 

Education and Career

Visvesvaraya received his primary education in Bangalore and his Bachelor’s degree in science from the University of Madras. He also earned a diploma in civil engineering (DCE) from the College of Engineering in Pune.

Visvesvaraya started his career working for the British government in the Bombay Presidency and the British colonies in the Middle East. He later worked for the Hyderabad state. In around 1906/1907, the British government in India sent Visvesvaraya to Aden, a British colony (present-day Yemen), to further equip himself to study water supply and drainage systems. Consequently, his project was successfully implemented in Aden.

Post-retirement accomplishments

Sir M. Visvesvaraya went for voluntary retirement in 1908, after which he embarked on a foreign tour to study industrialised nations. Later, he worked for Nizam Osman Ali Khan for a brief period. Post-retirement, he embarked on a career as an administrator and statesman and carried on his work as an engineer in the Kingdom of Mysore. 

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya also served as the Dewan of Mysore from 1912 to 1918. His love for the Kannada language made him set up Kannada Parishat to improve the language.

In 1955, the Indian Government gave Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya the Bharat Ratna Award in his later years. Prime Minister Nehru graced the celebration of Sir.M.V’s centenary in Lalbagh, Bangalore, to honour one of the greatest sons of India. Sri Jayachamaraja Wodiyar presided over the function. 

As a person

Sir M. Visvesvaraya was a man of sincerity, integrity, and professionalism. He was also a vegetarian, a teetotaller, and always impeccably dressed. He was a stickler for punctuality and a strict disciplinarian.

Sir M.V memorial and museum

Sir. M. Visvesvaraya lived to the ripe age of 102 and breathed his last on 12/14th April 1962 after having lived a well-accomplished life. A memorial has been constructed for Visvesvaraya at his birthplace, Muddenahalli, adjacent to his house. His home, now turned into a museum, displays his awards, medals, titles, and models of the KRS Dam, which he designed and supervised the construction of, his personal belongings, etc.

Mahatma Gandhi on Sir M.Visvesvaraya

To quote Mahatma Gandhi’s words on Sir.M.Visvesvaraya, “Bhadravathi (Iron Works), like Krishnarajasagar Dam, is a tribute to the patriotism and constructive genius of Visvesvaraya, who has placed his talents, knowledge and industry and all his time and energy at the service of Mysore.  One thing that strikes us most here is that the whole undertaking is from top to bottom a self-contained one. The originator is a Mysorean, at any rate, entirely South Indian. That is a thing about which you and India may well be proud.”

Achievements of Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya 

As an engineer

Sir M.Visvesvaraya made remarkable contributions to the field of civil engineering. The projects done by Visvesvaraya include

• One of the significant contributions of Mokshagundam Visvesaraya as an engineer and designer was the building of the Krishna Raja Sagar Dam (KRS Dam) in Mysore during the time of the erstwhile King  Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV . Sir M. Visvesvaraya played an essential role in planning and replanning the KRS Dam, negotiating the fine print, sanctioning the project and finally building the dam. The KRS dam happens to be one of the significant landmarks in Mysore, dating back to the 1930s. It is 130 feet high, and besides being a major tourist attraction, it is also the source of irrigation and drinking water for large parts of Karnataka. 
• He devised an intricate irrigation system in the Deccan Plateau with automatic weir water floodgates, first installed at the Khadakvasla Dam near Pune in 1903. Owing to the successful implementation and usage of these gates, which increased the reservoir’s storage level, the same was implemented at the Tigra Dam, Gwalior, and at the KRS Dam, Mysore. He also later took charge as the chief engineer of the Laxmi Talav Dam near Kolhapur.
• Introduced a novel irrigation system called the “Block System”.
• Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya also played a prominent role in Hyderabad’s flood protection system as one of the chief engineers. 
• He was also instrumental in developing a system to safeguard the Visakhapatnam Port from sea erosion.
• In November 1909, Visvesvaraya joined as a chief engineer of Mysore State. He was the Chief Engineer of the KRS Dam at Mysore. 
• Later, he also served as chairman of the board of engineers for the Tungabhadra Dam in Hospet, Karnataka.

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya as the Dewan of Mysore

In 1912, Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV of Mysore appointed Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya as the Dewan of Mysore. With the Maharaja’s aid, he contributed remarkably to the development of the Kingdom of Mysore and founded many factories and institutions.

• Mysore Soap Factory
• Parasitoid Laboratory
• Mysore Iron & Steel Works in Bhadravathi
• Bangalore Polytechnic (now Sri Jayachamarajendra Polytechnic Bangalore),
• Bangalore Agricultural University
• State Bank of Mysore
• Century Club 
• Mysore Chamber of Commerce (now Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry)
• Mysore Apex Chamber of Commerce (now Apex Chamber of Karnataka)
• The Bangalore Press 
• Government Engineering College (now University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering) at Bangalore in 1917 was one of the foremost engineering colleges in India.
• New railway lines in Mysore Railways (now part of Southwestern Indian Railways)
• Mysore University. He questioned, “If Australia and Canada could have universities of their own for less than a million people, cannot Mysore, with a population of not less than 60 lakhs, have a University of its own?”
• Public libraries in Mysore and Bangalore
• He encouraged girls to attend school.
• He encouraged private investment in the industry. 
• Sir. M.V. chalked out a plan for constructing the road between Tirumala and Tirupati.
• Visvesvaraya, who was over 90 years old, extended technical advice on the location of the Mokama Bridge over the Ganga in Bihar.

A few offices held by Sir M.Visvesvaraya

• Assistant Engineer, Bombay Government Service [in 1884]
• Chief Engineer, Hyderabad State [he served only for 7 months starting April 15, 1909]
• Chief Engineer in Mysore State [Nov 15, 1909]. He was also Secretary to the Railways.
• President of Education and Industrial Development committees in Mysore State
• Dewan of Mysore. [for six years starting 1912]
• Chairman, Bhadravati Iron Works
• Member of the Governing Council of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
• Member of the Governing Council of Tata Iron and Steel Company [TISCO]
• Member of Back Bay enquiry committee, London
• Member of a committee constituted in 1917 to make recommendations regarding the future of Indian States.

Some of the honours and laurels conferred on Sir M.V.

Recognition for Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya earned the title of ‘Father of Engineering’ in India with his remarkable service. Furthermore, September 15th each year is observed as ‘Engineer’s Day’ not only in India but also in Sri Lanka and Tanzania in honour of Sir. M. Visvesvaraya. He earned many recognitions for his noteworthy service in engineering and education.

Listed below are the educational institutions, metro stations, railway terminals, etc are named after him.

• Visvesvaraya Technological University in Belagavi
• University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Bangalore
• Sir M. Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology, Bangalore
• Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur
• Visvesvaraya Hostel, IIT (BHU) Varanasi
• Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Bangalore
• A statue of Sir.M.Visvesvaraya stands tall in the  College of Engineering, Pune, his alma mater.
• Two metro stations, namely Sir M. Visveshwaraya Station, Central College, on the Purple Line in Bangalore and Sir Vishweshwaraiah Moti Bagh on the Pink Line in Delhi, are named after him.
• The Baiyyapanahalli railway terminal at Bangalore also gets its name after Sir. MV.
• Because of his 100th birthday, the Indian Government issued a postage stamp of Visvesvaraya in 1960.
• For its turn, Google honoured Visvesvaraya with a Google Doodle on September 15th, 2018, on his 157th birth anniversary. 

Books Authored & Contributed By Sir MV

Sir M.Visvesvaraya has also authored many books. Here is the list of the books he wrote Planned Economy for India, 1861-1962, Bangalore, Bangalore Press, 1934 Memoirs of my Working Life, Bangalore (1954) Unemployment in India: Its causes and cure, Bangalore City, Bangalore Press, 1932 Prosperity through Industry Move towards rapid industrialization (Second edition), Bombay, All-India Manufacturer’s Organization, 1943 Post-War Reconstruction in India (Address at the quarterly meeting of the Central Committee, September 2, 1943), All-India Manufacturer’s Organization Nation building: a five-year plan for the provinces, Bangalore City, Bangalore Press, 1937 District development scheme: Economic progress by forced marches, Bangalore, 1940 A Brief Memoir of my Complete Working Life, Bangalore, 1960 To conclude, much must be imbibed from the exemplary life led by the accomplished Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya. Also Read In Kannada: ಅತ್ಯುತ್ತಮ ಮುತ್ಸದ್ದಿ – ಅಪ್ರತಿಮ ಅಭಿಯಂತರ ಸರ್ ಎಂ ವಿಶ್ವೇಶ್ವರಯ್ಯ Nugu Dam, Heggadadevana Kote, Mysore KRS Dam / Brindavan Gardens, Mysore Other Personalities from Karnataka Sri. M Visvesvaraya Dam – A 101 Year-Old Dam Hulikere Tunnel – Central Asia’s First Underground Irrigation Tunnel A must read article about Sir MV Paul Chinnappa – The Link Between India And The Montessori School System

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Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya Biography – Diwan of Mysore

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, India first Civil Engineer, distinguished Statesman, and the 19th Diwan of Mysore, whose birth anniversary on September 15th as Engineer's Day in India.

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya 

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, often referred to as Sir M. Visvesvaraya, was an eminent Indian engineer, visionary, and statesman. He made remarkable contributions to the field of engineering and played a pivotal role in the development of modern India. Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, India’s inaugural Civil Engineer, distinguished Statesman, and the 19th Diwan of Mysore, is honored each year on September 15th as Engineer’s Day in India.

Also Read: National Engineers Day 2023

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya Birth Anniversary

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya’s Birth Anniversary is celebrated on September 15th each year. This day is observed as Engineer’s Day in India to honor his remarkable contributions to engineering, governance, and the nation’s progress. It serves as a tribute to his legacy and the pivotal role he played in shaping modern India.

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya Biography

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, commonly known as Sir M. Visvesvaraya, was a distinguished Indian engineer, statesman, and visionary leader. Here is a brief biography highlighting key aspects of his life and achievements:

Early Life and Education:

• Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya was born on September 15, 1861, in Muddenahalli, a village in the state of Karnataka, India.
• He pursued his primary education in his hometown and later attended the Central College in Bangalore.
• In 1881, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Madras.
• Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya was born on September 15, 1861, and passed away on April 12, 1962. Therefore, he lived to be 100 years old.

Engineering Career:

• After completing his education, Visvesvaraya began his engineering career in the Public Works Department (PWD) of Bombay (now Mumbai) Presidency.
• His exceptional engineering skills and innovative thinking soon gained recognition, leading to several significant projects under his supervision.

Contributions and Achievements:

• Visvesvaraya’s pioneering work in irrigation engineering, particularly his design and implementation of irrigation and flood control systems, earned him acclaim. His automatic sluice gates at the Khadakwasla Reservoir in Pune were particularly noteworthy.
• He played a vital role in the construction of the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam in Mysore, which helped transform arid regions into fertile agricultural land.
• As the Diwan (Prime Minister) of Mysore from 1912 to 1919, Visvesvaraya implemented numerous progressive policies, focusing on education, industrialization, and infrastructure development.

National and International Recognition:

• Visvesvaraya’s contributions to engineering and nation-building earned him several awards and honors, including being knighted as a Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (KCIE) in 1915.
• He received the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in 1955 for his outstanding services to the nation.
• Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya’s birth anniversary, September 15, is celebrated as Engineer’s Day in India to commemorate his remarkable contributions to engineering and technological advancement.
• He remains an inspiration for engineers and leaders alike, known for his dedication to innovation, infrastructure development, and the betterment of society.

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya Famous Constructions

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya was renowned for his exceptional contributions to engineering and several famous constructions and projects in India. Some of his most notable works include:

Krishna Raja Sagara Dam (KRS Dam): Visvesvaraya played a pivotal role in the construction of the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam across the Cauvery River in Mandya, Karnataka. This dam not only served as a major irrigation project but also helped transform arid regions into fertile agricultural land.

Automatic Sluice Gates at Khadakwasla Reservoir: Visvesvaraya designed and developed automatic floodgates for the Khadakwasla Reservoir near Pune, Maharashtra. These innovative gates helped control the flow of water and manage floods effectively.

Block System: He introduced the “Block System” in irrigation, which divided the available water into blocks, allowing equitable distribution of water resources among farmers.

Mysore State Railway: As the Diwan of Mysore, Visvesvaraya worked on the development of the Mysore State Railway and oversaw the construction of various railway lines, contributing to improved connectivity and transportation.

Bhadravati Iron and Steel Works: He played a key role in the establishment and management of the Bhadravati Iron and Steel Works in Karnataka, contributing to industrialization in the region.

Government Engineering College in Bangalore: In 1917, Visvesvaraya founded the Government Engineering College in Bangalore (now University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering), which has since become a prominent institution for engineering education in India.

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya As Diwan of Mysore

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya served as the Diwan (Prime Minister) of the princely state of Mysore from 1912 to 1919. During his tenure as Diwan, he made significant contributions to the development and modernization of the state. Here are some key aspects of his role as the Diwan of Mysore:

Infrastructure Development: Visvesvaraya initiated numerous infrastructure development projects in Mysore, focusing on areas such as irrigation, water supply, and public works. His contributions in this regard included the construction of dams, canals, and reservoirs to enhance agricultural productivity and water management.

Industrialization: Under his leadership, efforts were made to promote industrialization in Mysore. He played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Bhadravati Iron and Steel Works, which contributed to the industrial growth of the region.

Education: Visvesvaraya was a strong advocate for education. He introduced reforms in the education system and worked to improve the quality of education in Mysore. His initiatives included the expansion of schools and colleges.

Economic Planning: He emphasized economic planning and prudent financial management during his tenure. His policies aimed to boost economic growth and stability in the state.

Social Reforms: Visvesvaraya was also involved in social reforms, particularly in areas such as health and sanitation. He promoted public health measures and worked to improve living conditions in Mysore.

Recognition: His visionary leadership and contributions as the Diwan of Mysore earned him recognition and accolades, both nationally and internationally.

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya Awards & Honors

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya received several awards and honors in recognition of his outstanding contributions to engineering, governance, and nation-building. Some of the notable honors and  awards bestowed upon him include:

Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (KCIE): Visvesvaraya was knighted by King George V in 1915 in recognition of his exceptional services as an engineer and administrator.

Bharat Ratna: He was honored with India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 1955 for his extraordinary contributions to the nation.

Distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE): Visvesvaraya was elected as a Distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Civil Engineers in London, a prestigious honor in the field of engineering.

Honorary Membership of the London Institution of Civil Engineers: He received honorary membership from the London Institution of Civil Engineers, further acknowledging his global recognition and contributions to civil engineering.

Honorary Doctorates: Several universities in India, including the Banaras Hindu University and the University of Mysore, conferred honorary doctorate degrees upon him in acknowledgment of his exceptional achievements.

Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum: In tribute to his contributions, the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum in Bangalore was established in his honor.

National Engineers’ Day: His birthday, September 15, is celebrated as National Engineers’ Day in India, highlighting his legacy and the significance of engineering in the country.

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya Inventions

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, although primarily known for his contributions as a civil engineer and statesman, made several innovative contributions to engineering and technology during his career. While he may not be known for specific inventions like some other inventors, his innovative thinking and engineering solutions were instrumental in addressing critical challenges in his time. Some notable contributions include:

Automatic Floodgates: Visvesvaraya designed and developed automatic floodgates, which were installed at the Khadakwasla Reservoir in Pune, Maharashtra. These floodgates were instrumental in managing and controlling floods in the region.

Block System for Irrigation: He introduced the “Block System” in irrigation, which allowed the equitable distribution of water resources among farmers. This system helped optimize water usage in agriculture.

Architectural and Structural Engineering: Visvesvaraya’s expertise in architectural and structural engineering contributed to the construction of several dams, reservoirs, and irrigation projects. His designs incorporated innovative engineering principles for stability and efficiency.

Industrial and Technological Advancements: While serving as the Diwan of Mysore, he played a crucial role in promoting industrialization and technological advancements in the state. His leadership and policies facilitated the growth of industries and modern infrastructure.

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya FAQs

Who was mokshagundam visvesvaraya, when was mokshagundam visvesvaraya born and when did he pass away, why is mokshagundam visvesvaraya famous, what are some of the key contributions of mokshagundam visvesvaraya, what awards and honors did mokshagundam visvesvaraya receive.

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Sir M Visvesvaraya Essay in English

Sir M Visvesvaraya Essay in English , India has given birth to many engineers, who have made the country proud with their achievements. Today, we are going to talk about Sir M Visvesvaraya, who was a great engineer. His full name is Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya. His name comes on the top of the best engineers in the world, not only in the country. So, let’s know about his life history.

Essay on Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya

Life history.

In India, Engineer Day is celebrated every year on 15 September. On this day, the birthday of Sir M Visvesvaraya comes. This day is named after his birthday. He was not just a skilled engineer, but at the same time, he was also a successful person.

He was a person who put the nation on the map and provided relief to the citizens. This is why he was remembered on Engineer Day, which falls on 15 September every year all over the country.

Essay on Sir M Visvesvaraya in English

He was born on 15 September 1861 in Taluka of Kolar District into a Brahmin family. His parents were Srinivasa Shastri (father) and Venkachamma (mother). His father was an Ayurvedic doctor. He never wasted his time. During the course of his work, he spread the message that if you do something from the heart, you can easily finish a difficult task, you can achieve anything.

He took his work as worship and he was very fond of his work. He made many contributions to make India a modern country with a new look and approach. He assumed that corruption is only a hurdle in the development of the country and India could progress only if there is no corruption.

Also Read: Sant Dnyaneshwar Essay

On the wonderful occasion of Engineer Day, all prominent engineers were remembered and honored for their great achievements and works. On this day, special programs are organized in schools and colleges all over the country. He had done a lot to build our country. This is why he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, the highest award of India in 1955.

In addition, Sir M Visvesvaraya was also awarded the ‘Knight Commander of the British Indian Empire’ as he supported the public in many ways. He was the chief designer of the Flood Protection System in Hyderabad. He also worked as a chief engineer and played a vital role in the construction of the Krishna Sagar Dam located in Mysore.

M Visvesvaraya Education

Once he was done with his primary education, Sir M Visvesvaraya joined Central College located in Bangalore. He did not have sufficient funds, which made him become a tutor. Despite this, he scored the first position in B.A degree in 1881.

Afterward, the Mysore Government helped him to join the Science College to let him study in the engineering field as he was a brilliant student. He showed his qualification by completing first in the FCE and LCE examinations in 1883. Due to this examination, the Maharashtra Government appointed him to the post of Assistant Engineer.

Information About Sir M Visvesvaraya

Once he completed his engineering, he started working in the PWD department of Bombay. He executed a complex irrigation system in the Deccan. He did not have many resources and exclusive technology. Still, he showed his abilities to make projects successful.

Some of the projects on which Sir M Visvesvaraya had worked were Bhadravati Iron and Steel Construction, Krishnarajasagar Dam, Mysore Sandal Oil, and Soap Factory, Bank of Mysore, and the University of Mysore. It was his hard work only, with which he made such achievements. He, at the age of just 32, worked for the Sukkur Municipality.

While working there, he supplied water from the Indus River to Sukkur City. This scheme has been liked by all other engineers. The British Government had made Sir M Visvesvaraya a member of a committee, which was designed to enhance the irrigation system.

For this, Sir M Visvesvaraya invented a new block system and made steel doors to prevent the water flow from the dam. He got appreciations for this system and even nowadays, this system is being utilized all over the world. He also made a plan to tie the water to 2 rivers. In 1990, he was appointed as the chief engineer of Mysore.

He also showed his interest in eliminating basic problems like poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, and many others, in his state. To handle these issues, he advised the formation of an economic conference. As cement was not developed in the country during this time, engineers made mortar, which was stronger as compared to cement.

Using a mortar, engineers built the Krishna Rajsagar Dam located in Mysore. As his works were great in the Mysore state, this is why he was appointed as the chief minister or dewan of the state by the King of Mysore in 1912.

After becoming a dewan, Sir M Visvesvaraya worked for the industrial and educational development of the state. With his hard efforts, many new industries came into existence such as Bhadravati Iron and Steel Works. In 1918, he resigned as the Dewan of Mysore voluntarily.

When he was 92 years old, there was a time when the heat was boiling. At that time, it was impossible to visit the site by car. So, he decided to walk on site. He was gifted with virtues such as sacrifice, honesty, hard work, dedication, and motivation. He believed in the fact that whatever we do should be done in a way that it is for the betterment of others.

Even after retirement, he sustained to work. When he was 100 years old, the Indian Government issued a stamp in his honor. He passed away at the age of 101 on 14 April 1962. Sir M Visvesvaraya was awarded the Bharat Ratna award.

Sir M Visvesvaraya was the creator of modern Mysore. His entire life is a source of motivation for every Indian. He was an individual, who will always be in memory of all the people of our nation. Sir M Visvesvaraya will always stay alive by being an inspiration to all the engineers and youth of our country.

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Visvesvaraya, an engineer of modernity

On the occasion of his 150th birth anniversary today, sir m. visvesvaraya's legacy is best commemorated by bringing to it all the ethical questions that modern indians have offered on the issue of development..

Published - September 15, 2010 12:10 am IST

His deeds became parables. Sir MV (third from left) and Jawaharlal Nehru. Photo: The Hindu Photo Library

Sir M. Visvesvaraya, the oldest surviving icon from 20th Century Karnataka, occasions various sentiments. Enthusiasts of Bangalore's image as a high-tech city see in him an early champion of modern industry. Whereas those sick of the corruption in public life cherish him as a symbol of probity. Whatever the ends of invocation, Sir M. Visvesvaraya's charisma has proved durable.

Born to a poor Brahmin family in Muddenahalli in 1860, Sir M. Visvesvaraya (Sir MV) completed school in Chikballapura and Bangalore. (Folklore recalls he studied under a street lamp). After completing his B.A. at Central College in Bangalore in 1881, he studied engineering at the College of Science in Pune. Upon graduation in 1883, he started his career as an Assistant Engineer in the Public Works Department, Government of Bombay, where he put in 25 years of distinguished service. After a short stint of work for the Nizam of Hyderbabad, when he helped control the Musi river floods, he became the Chief Engineer of Mysore in 1909. Three years later, he became Dewan of Mysore and stayed in office until 1918.

No well-researched biography

Few details about Sir MV's personal life have survived. Sir MV's 1951 autobiography, “Memoirs of my Working Life” takes its title in dead earnest, suggesting that he either fiercely guarded his privacy or felt it unimportant to share his experiences outside office. Pop hagiographies only echo familiar facts and fables about his achievements in office. A well-researched biography of Sir MV's life doesn't exist.

Sir MV became Dewan of Mysore at a time of controversy. The Brahmins of Mysore, especially the Hebbar Iyengars, had protested that all the Dewans of Mysore had been “outsiders” and not “Mysoreans.” After the British ended their 50 years of direct rule over Mysore and restored conditional power to the Maharaja in 1881, they recruited Dewans from the Madras Presidency. This had invited resentment from the local officialdom in Mysore. Sir MV, who had earned a good reputation as the state's Chief Engineer, appeared the right candidate at this time. His ready identification as a Mysorean is a pointer to the complexities of cultural identities since he spoke Telugu at home and a grandparent on his father's side spoke Tamil.

Since 1881, the Mysore dewans had affirmed, with varying zeal, their desire to build an industrial economy in the state. Their views drew from the powerful 19th Century European ideas of social evolutionism that argued that all societies moved from agriculture to modern industry. The romantic longing for modern industry took on a feverish pitch with Sir MV. His famous slogan — Industrialise or Perish ! — is testimony to his theoretical convictions and the intellectual politics in colonial India.

The colonial intellectual game is now familiar: the West had Reason, discipline, science, capitalism, in short, modernity; and, India was home to ignorance, fatalism, low technology, feudalism. The power of these illicit claims is evident in Sir MV's vision of progress, which sought total reform of local institutions. For him, most features of local society appeared a deviation from his imagined modern social order. He frequently regretted the lack of discipline, efficiency, and hygiene among Indians. His speeches usually included statistical comparisons to show the advanced state of the West and India's own backwardness. Japan was an inspiration since it had proved for him that an Asian country could also progress through a proper borrowing of Western methods.

Sir MV noticed “waste” in different spheres of social life. Interpreting society through the lens of productivity, he made an unusual observation: “Mental energy is wasted in caste disputes and village factions.” For him, caste inequality was wrong as it did not allow for the optimal use of individual energies toward building a society. A popular anecdote has it that he exclaimed, “What a waste!” when he beheld the Jog Falls in Shimoga district. Hydro-electric power could be harnessed at the site of the water falls. Aesthetics had to be subordinated to considerations of utility.

His writings

Friendships in Pune with G.K. Gokhale, the political leader and M.G. Ranade, the nationalist economist, had had a formative impact on Sir MV's ideas of economic development. Besides “Reconstructing India” (1920) and a pioneer text on state planning, “Planned Economy of India” (1934), Sir MV published numerous short books on issues like village industrialisation, nation building, and unemployment. His writings are silent on India's historical experience or culture. Culture usually surfaces in his writings as a technical problem in his scheme of achieving progress. In 1915, he observed that “supplanting the spiritual ideals of the country” was of paramount importance. Two years earlier, he had nodded at Montesquieu's spurious ideas about climatic effects on human nature: “In our warm climate, we have not got the same incentive to exertion and we may never be able to attain the same level of prosperity as Western people.”

Achievements

Sir MV resigned in 1918 in protest over the Maharaja's decision to set aside state jobs for “non-Brahmins.” By this time, he had helped establish the University of Mysore, the State Bank of Mysore, Mysore Chamber of Commerce, among others. Popular memory in Karnataka views the Bhadravati Iron Works and the Krishnarajasagar Dam (KRS) across the Cauvery river as two of Sir MV's major achievements. Both these projects stood as marvels of state planning. Despite incurring losses for the first 15 years, the iron plant was sustained by the state. Completed between 1911 and 1931, the KRS was likened to the Aswan dam. State guests (including Mahatma Gandhi, in 1927) were taken to visit these places. Generations of school children have visited here and partaken in Sir MV's romance with modern technology.

Sir MV did not denounce colonial rule publicly. Mysore's precarious position as an indirectly ruled state of the British did not allow him, or the Maharaja, or any of the other state functionaries, to be openly critical of the British. But he doubtless resented the colonial restrictions which impeded his plans. And never more intensely, perhaps, than when the British disallowed car manufacture in Bangalore in the early 1940s. Sir MV had tried hard, along with Sir Mirza Ismail, a successor Dewan of Mysore, to realise his dream project of establishing a car manufacturing plant in Bangalore.

After stepping down as Dewan, Sir MV took up intermittent government projects in Karachi, Bombay, Orissa, and Hyderabad as adviser and consultant. He travelled in Europe and the United States a few times as part of delegations of industrialists. He was awarded the Bharata Ratna in 1955.

Sir MV was of frail physique from a young age. His Sanskrit teacher in school had apparently remarked he wouldn't live past 30 years. He lived to see his birth centenary celebrations.

Many early 20th Century Kannada literary figures have written eulogistic poems about Sir MV. Their admiration for him, however, seems to rest less on an engagement with his thought than on trust in the purity of his intentions. He acquired popular fame as a person who strove selflessly to develop the country and make it modern. The excerpt below from a hit song from the 1972 blockbuster, “Bangarada Manushya (Man of Gold”), the longest running movie in Kannada film history, is illustrative:

If Visvesvaraya had not toiled

And allowed Cauvery to flow

And not built Kannambadi?

Would this precious land have harvested gold?

Prosperous Kannada land, our prosperous Kannada land?

In the heady post-Independence days of nation-building, the imagined and actual deeds of Sir MV became parables for a society trying to find direction. He never used his office for personal favours. He never went late anywhere. He never spoke without prior preparation. He took dress formalities seriously. He worked hard. He was efficient. Delightful anecdotes around such claims surround the mythic figure of Sir MV.

Sir MV's enchantment with modern industrial civilisation is sure-footed. Not a trace of self-doubt exists. His legacy is best commemorated by bringing to it all the ethical questions that modern Indians have offered on the issue of development.

( Chandan Gowda is Associate Professor of Sociology, Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion, National Law School of India, Bengaluru. He is presently completing a book on the politics of development in modern Mysore .)

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Celebrating India’s First Engineer: Sir M Visvesvaraya

Regarded as India’s greatest civil engineer, Sir M Visvesvaraya’s journey from being a little boy born in a small village to a humble family to that of the Bharat Ratna is an inspiring tale. 

He was an engineer, statesman and visionary who firmly believed in industrialisation, education and women empowerment. Every year his birth anniversary, September 15 th is celebrated as Engineering Day. As India’s first civil engineer, his achievements are testimony to the power of education and how knowledge can make even the impossible, possible.

Humble Beginnings

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya in his early 40’s

Born in Muddenahalli, Karnataka, Visvesvaraya lost his father — Mokshagundam Srinivasa Shastry — when he was merely a boy of 12. Though he did not inherit wealth, Visvesvaraya certainly imbibed the importance of education from his father. 

No matter the obstacle, Visvesvaraya remained unstoppable in his pursuit of knowledge. After the death of his father, Visvesvaraya funded his education by tutoring young children in his neighbourhood. He completed his early education in Chikkaballapura, Karnataka, pursued a bachelor of Arts at Central College, Bangalore and later a Diploma in Civil Engineering from the College of Engineering, Pune. He graduated in 1883, securing the first rank in the LCE and FCE examinations. 

Less Talk, More Work

Sir M Visvesvaraya with politician T.Madiah Gowda

Visvesvaraya worked relentlessly to realise his aspirations for the country. He travelled extensively to expand his knowledge by attending seminars and conferences. He would then interpret his learnings into his upcoming projects — which were often regarded to be ahead of their time. 

Visvesvaraya was deployed by the government to propose a water supply and drainage system in Aden, Yemen. After a thorough study, he proposed an intricate plan that was implemented successfully.  In 1925, Visvesvaraya toured Sweden, England, America and Germany to get first-hand knowledge of manufacturing iron by charcoal. He used this knowledge to modernise The Mysore Iron and Steel Works and saved the industry from shutting down. 

Visvesvaraya was a man of few words and believed in the principle of “Less talk, more work”. During his centenary celebrations in Bengaluru, after a series of important personalities, including Nehru rained praises on him, Visvesvaraya only had two words to say “Thank you”. 

Transforming India — A Master in Irrigation Designs

Block system of irrigation.

In 1884, Visvesvaraya began his career as an Assistant Engineer in Nasik. He rose through the ranks to become a Sanitary Engineer for the Government of Bombay and developed the Block System of Irrigation over the Nira Canal in Pune. 

The Block System of Irrigation was designed to control and evenly distribute water supply to parched agricultural lands across a number of villages. The supply was rotated within “blocks” in each village to control misuse and waterlogging. Water supply was planned in a way that allowed for a triennial crop rotation in each block. This system, devised in 1899, is used even today in the Deccan Canals.  

Flood Protective Dams and Embankments

Visvesvaraya was approached by the Hyderabad Government to propose a reservoir plan to contain floods and provide irrigation on River Musi and its tributary Esi. This was after the city was devastated by cyclonic floods in 1908. Visvesvaraya designed reservoirs to store 8500 million cubic feet and 12000 million cubic feet of water. Embankments were constructed along the river in Hyderabad and some sections were built as walks and gardens. This proposal was successfully implemented and the city has been free of floods ever since. 

Automatic Sluice Gates and the Krishnarajasagara (KRS) Dam

The Krishnarajasagara Dam was one of it’s kind in 1922

The famous Krishnarajasagara dam was not Visvesvaraya’s first reservoir. He had played a pivotal role in the construction of the Khadakwasla dam and the Bhatghar dam earlier. 

In 1910, when the KRS project was assigned to Visvesvaraya, he saw an opportunity to enrich the lives of the farmers in the Mysuru-Mandya region. He revised the construction plans in a way that would make KRS the core of economic development in Karnataka. 

The construction of the KRS dam began in 1911 and comprised 48 Automatic Sluice gates. These gates were invented by Visvesvaraya. Automatic Sluice gates allowed for safe discharge of excess inflow without raising the water level of the dam — enabling water storage well above the crest of the dam.  The engineer refused to accept any royalty for this patent. The Krishnarajasagara dam stands as one of India’s premier reservoirs and as a symbol of prosperity in the erstwhile Mysuru State. Krishnarajasagara improved irrigation and fostered industrial development . It also ramped up the hydroelectric power generation at the Shivanasamudra power station. 

Reconstructing India — The Diwan of Mysore

India post issued a postage stamp on the occasion of Sir MV’s 100th birthday

Visvesvaraya drew inspiration from Japan, America, Canada and many European countries to establish several industries and educational institutes in the state of Karnataka. He was appointed as the Diwan of Mysore State from 1912 to 1918. This period witnessed unprecedented growth in educational institutions and industries under Visvesvaraya’s legislation. Within six years, it is said that more than 6,500 schools were established in Karnataka. 

Visvesvaraya emphasised the importance of education and pronounced legislation to make primary education compulsory for all children. Some of the notable industries and educational institutions founded by Visvesvaraya are:

• The Mysore Iron and Steel Works 
• Mysore Sandal Oil Factory and the Mysore Soap Factory
• University of Mysore
• State Bank of Mysore
• Kannada Sahitya Parishad (Kannada Literary Academy)
• Hebbal Agricultural School (University of Agricultural Sciences)
• Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Bangalore

He also played a key role in the founding of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) — India’s first aircraft manufacturing company. 

“Industrialise or Perish” — A Key Architect of Modern India

Sir M Visvesvaraya with Jawaharlal Nehru

Much like Nehru, Visvesvaraya believed in the Western Model of Development. Economic development through industrialisation had been the principal objective of Visvesvaraya. He believed that in addition to agriculture, industries could vastly contribute to the prosperity of the people. 

“Dreamer, thinker, and a man of action, not lost in the past but always thinking of the future, living an integrated life, bringing into existence and giving shape to dreams not for himself but for India and the people of India” — this was Nehru’s tribute to Sir MV on his 100 th birthday in 1960. 

Sir MV also played a key role in the growth of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). He was the President of the Court at IISc for 9 years . He pushed for a relationship between industries and scientific research institutions. He promoted the establishment of the Departments of Metallurgy, Aeronautics and Internal Combustion Engines at IISc.

Sir M Visvesvaraya is remembered for his intellect, wit, punctuality, impeccable dressing sense and unparalleled vision. He practised what he preached and was conferred with several awards for his works, including a British Knighthood and the Bharat Ratna. “Work, Work hard; hard work does not kill; it is worry that kills.” — Sir MV lived by his words until his last breath. He passed away on April 12, 1962, at the age of 102.  

About the Author

Ashritha Raghavendra

As an introverted teen who loved reading crime-thriller novels, Ashritha knew she was destined to be a writer. Like Dumbledore, Ashritha is a strong believer in the magic of words. She finds joy in the little things — a long walk at dawn, sipping a cup of filter coffee watching the sunset, or rewatching old rom-com movies that make her heart smile.

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Jul 27, 2018

Biography of M. Visvesvaraya and Essay for class 7

M. Visvesvaraya or Sir MV as he was popularly called was born in the Kingdom of Mysore, British India, which is now known as Karnataka.

He was born on 15th September 1861 and died on 12th April 1962 at the age of 100 years old. He lived a very fulfilling life. He was an Indian scholar, engineer, statesman and also the 19th Diwan of the Mysore Kingdom. He served in office from 1912 to 1918. In 1955, he also received the highest honor in India, the Bharat Ratna. King George V also knighted him as one of the Knight Commanders of the British Indian Empire or KCIE for all his exceptional contributions to the public.

India celebrates Engineer’s Day on 15th September every year in his memory. He is held at a very high pedestal and is given high regard, thanks to his contributions in the British India era and is also known as a pre-eminent Indian Engineer. He is also very popular for being the chief engineer who was single-handedly responsible for constructing the Krishna Raja Sagara dam that can be found in the Mandya district. He was also the chief engineer responsible for the flood protection system of Hyderabad.

Essay On Visvesvaraya for Class 6

Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya or M. Visvesvaraya as he was popularly called was one of the most eminent engineers that have ever been seen in India. He was a man of discipline and high morals & principles. Not just that but he was also an engineer par excellence who lived a very fulfilling life and lived for 100 long years. He was the chief architect behind the building of the Krishna Raja Sagara dam in Mandya. As a result of this great construction and engineering feat, the surrounding barren lands around the dam were converted into fertile grounds to initiate farming. He believed in high thinking and simple living, thanks to his idealistic thoughts and beliefs. His father was a very eminent Sanskrit scholar. He knew how important it was to provide quality education and knowledge to his son. Even though Visvesvaraya’s parents weren’t financially wealthy, as a child, Sir MV was exposed to a traditional home and the richness of culture that few children experience. His father died when he was barely a teenager. This struck the family hard. It was hard for him to move on in life after the death of his father. He was poverty-stricken as a student and tutored small kids to earn his livelihood. With sheer dedication and hard work, he went on to become an engineer and led several successful projects. He was also awarded several honors for his relentless contributions to India.

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Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

M visvesvaraya: india’s pioneering civil engineer.

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: M Visvesvaraya

Mains level: NA

Central Idea

• September 15 marks the birthday of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya (1861-1962), celebrated for his pivotal role as a civil engineer and administrator during colonial India.

About M. Visvesvaraya

• Early life: Born on September 15, 1861, in the village of Muddenahalli, Karnataka, Visvesvaraya commenced his educational journey in his hometown.
• Academic Pursuits: He pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Madras and later embarked on a diploma course in civil engineering at the College of Science in Pune.

Career Achievements

• Engineering Pioneer: After completing his engineering studies at Poona College of Science, Visvesvaraya commenced his career as an Assistant Engineer in the Public Works Department (PWD) of the Government of Bombay at the age of 22.
• Notable Projects: Among his initial projects was the construction of a pipe syphon across one of Panjra river’s channels.
• Dewan of Mysore: In 1909, he assumed the role of Chief Engineer in the Mysore service, eventually becoming the 19th Dewan of Mysore.
• Voluntary Retirement: In 1918, Visvesvaraya took voluntary retirement due to his disagreement with the proposal to allocate state jobs based on caste.
• Committees and Contributions: Following retirement, he chaired or participated in various committees, including the Bombay Technical and Industrial Education Committee, Bombay University Committee for Promoting Chemical Industries, and the Cauvery Canal Committee.

Significant Works

• Block System of Irrigation: In 1899, he introduced the block system of irrigation in the Deccan canals, enhancing the equitable distribution of irrigation benefits among numerous villages.
• Water Quality Improvement: Visvesvaraya tackled the issue of “muddy and discolored” water in Sukkur, a city on the banks of the Indus River.
• Invention of Automatic Gates: He invented automatic gates for regulating water flow in reservoirs, securing a patent for this innovation.
• Implementation at Krishnaraja Sagar Dam: The Krishnaraja Sagar Dam in Karnataka became the first to adopt these gates in the 1920s.

Global Perspective

• International Learning: Visvesvaraya travelled abroad to study various aspects of other countries’ systems. During a visit to Italy, he examined soil erosion problems and irrigation and drainage works.
• Advocating for Indian Contributions: He challenged the perception that only British officers were capable of overseeing advanced engineering works, emphasizing that Indian expertise was valuable when supported by qualifications and dedication.

Vision for Progress

• Inspirational Speech: In a speech delivered on March 16, 1912, at Central College Bangalore, Visvesvaraya emphasized the need for India to adopt modern practices, scientific precision, inventiveness, discipline, and economic fundamentals for progress.
• Promoting Self-Examination: He encouraged a secular self-examination, comparing local conditions in India with global counterparts.
• Authorship: Visvesvaraya authored two influential books, “Reconstructing India” (1920) and “Planned Economy of India” (1934).

Impact on Education

• Education as a Catalyst: Visvesvaraya recognized the critical role of education in shaping an economy during his visit to Japan in 1898.
• Founding the University of Mysore: As the Dewan of Mysore in 1916, he played a pivotal role in establishing the University of Mysore, emphasizing that educational institutions should mirror real-life conditions.

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Sir M Visvesvaraya

Early life of sir m visvesvaraya, the career of sir m visvesvaraya, key contributions of sir m visvesvaraya, awards and honours received by sir m visvesvaraya.

Prelims:   General Science

Mains: Achievements of Indians in science & technology

Bharat Ratna Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya (1861-1962), widely known as Sir MV, was a distinguished and India’s pioneer civil engineer, statesman, and scholar. He held the position of Dewan of Mysore from 1912 to 1918, and for his outstanding contribution, he is known as the Father of Modern Mysore .

Sir M. Visvesvaraya is known for various outstanding works in engineering and administration, including block systems of irrigation , automated flood gates , and a strategy on economic planning called the Visvesvaraya Plan , to name a few. Engineer's Day is celebrated in India in his honour. 

Sir M. Visvesvaraya was born in Muddenahalli village in Karnataka, in a Tamil Brahmin family. His ancestors were from Mokshagundam, a village in present-day Andhra Pradesh, and had migrated there years before Visvesvaraya's birth. 

• He completed his B.A. (Bachelors of Arts) from the University of Madras.
• Later, he completed civil engineering from the College of Science in Pune.

Sir M. Visvesvaraya initially commenced his career with the Government of British India, serving in the Bombay Presidency and other British-administered territories in the Middle East. Later, he took up positions in Hyderabad State. 

• Even after his voluntary retirement in 1918, he undertook both administrative and statesmanship roles while also maintaining his involvement in engineering projects in the Kingdom of Mysore.

Career in Engineering

• Known for his innovative contributions, in 1899 he joined the Indian Irrigation Commission . 
• He implemented an intricate irrigation system in the Deccan Plateau and designed patented automatic weir water floodgates . These gates effectively regulated water levels without causing harm to the dam. 
• His success led to the installation of similar systems at other dams.
• Visvesvaraya was also involved in major projects outside India, including a successful water supply and drainage system in the British Colony of Aden (present-day Yemen). 
• His expertise extended to developing flood protection for Hyderabad and safeguarding Visakhapatnam port from sea erosion.
• In 1909, he was appointed as the chief engineer of Mysore State , where he oversaw significant projects such as the Krishna Raja Sagar Dam .

Career in Administration

• He served as the Dewan of Mysore from 1912 to 1918. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in establishing various industrial ventures and institutions, including factories, research laboratories, and educational facilities. 
• Significant contributions included the Mysore Soap Factory, Bangalore Polytechnic, and the State Bank of Mysore . 
• Visvesvaraya also promoted private investment in industry and provided technical guidance for significant infrastructure projects. 
• Even in his later years, he continued to offer expertise, advising on the location of the Mokama Bridge over the Ganga River in Bihar.

The contributions of Sir M. Visvesvaraya continue to influence India's engineering and infrastructure landscape, making him a revered figure in the field.

• He introduced the block system of irrigation in India (Deccan Canals) in 1899, intended to provide the benefits of irrigation over a large number of villages and populations in each village within blocks.
• He solved the problem of “muddy and discoloured” water in Sukkur , located on the banks of the Indus. 
• He invented the system of patented Automatic Water Floodgates , initially deployed at the Khadakwasla reservoir in Pune in 1903.
• In 1917, he founded the Government Engineering College in Bengaluru , a prestigious institution later renamed as University of Visvesvaraya College of Engineering in his honour.
• He is widely recognized as an early advocate and practitioner of Economic Planning in India, called the Visvesvaraya Plan , which he presented in a book titled “Planned Economy in India”. 

The following are the awards with which Sir M. Visvesvaraya has been honoured:

• Sir M. Visvesvaraya was appointed in 1911 as a “ Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire (CIE)” by King Edward VII.
• In 1915, he was conferred the title of “Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (KCIE)” for his contributions to the public good.
• In 1955 , the Government of India honoured him with the highest civilian honour i.e., Bharat Ratna for his numerous industrial, economic and social projects.
• He received an honorary membership from the Institution of Civil Engineers, London, a fellowship from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and several honorary degrees, including D.Sc., LL.D., and D.Litt., from eight universities in India.
• He presided over the Indian Science Congress in 1923. 
• The Engineer’s Day is celebrated in India on September 15 every year to honour the contributions of Sir M. Visvesvaraya, which is his birth anniversary.

FAQs related to Sir M Visvesvaraya

Who is considered to be the first engineer in india.

The first engineer in India is considered to be Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya.

What was Visvesvaraya famous for?

Visvesvaraya was famous for his pioneering contributions to engineering, particularly in the fields of irrigation and flood control. He designed innovative automatic weir water floodgates and implemented complex irrigation systems.

Who is the father of engineering in India?

Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya is often referred to as the "father of engineering in India" due to his significant role in shaping and advancing engineering practices in the country.

What are Sir Visvesvaraya's achievements?

He designed and implemented an intricate system of irrigation in the Deccan Plateau and patented automatic weir water floodgates, which were installed in several dams, including the Khadakvasla Dam near Pune.

Why is Sir Visvesvaraya called the "Father of Engineering in India"?

He is often referred to as the "father of engineering in India" due to his pivotal role in shaping the engineering landscape of the country through his innovative solutions and leadership in various engineering projects.

What was his role as the Dewan of Mysore?

As the Dewan (chief minister) of Mysore from 1912 to 1918, he played a crucial role in the development of the state. He initiated various industrial and infrastructure projects, including the Mysore Soap Factory, Mysore Iron & Steel Works, and Bangalore Agricultural University.

Why was Sir Visvesvaraya awarded with Bharat Ratna?

Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian award. Sir M. Visvesvaraya was honoured with the Bharat Ratna in 1955 for his exceptional contributions to engineering and public service.

What is Engineer's Day in India and why is it celebrated on September 15th?

Engineer's Day in India is celebrated on September 15th each year, which is Sir M. Visvesvaraya's birthday. It's a day to commemorate his outstanding achievements and contributions to the field of engineering.

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Lessons in Nation-Building from the Life of Sir M. Visvesvaraya

When Sir M Visvesvaraya (or Sir MV as he’s widely known in Karnataka) took over as the Diwan of Mysore on 10 November, 1912, from his predecessor T Ananda Rao, there was widespread joy and celebration in the then Mysore State (now Karnataka). Here’s how the legendary DV Gundappa, for many years a close confidante of Sir MV, describes the event in his profile of Sir MV:

The common people who were far removed from political aims and aspirations greeted the new Diwan with enthusiasm. Their joy reflected, as it were, the dawn of a new era. This was evident, in an eye-arresting manner, in the Mysore Representative Assembly, which Sir MV held…one of the Representatives stood up, “Swami, we know you from your childhood days…Thanks to your birth, the Chickaballapur town has attained fulfilment for existing in this world.”

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, born on 15 September, 1861, in Muddenahalli near Chikkaballapur, not too far from today’s Bangalore International Airport went on to become India’s most prolific civil engineer, dam builder, economist, statesman, and can be counted among the last century’s foremost nation-builders. While we preserve his memory by celebrating his birthday as Engineer’s Day, it would be a tad unfair to box him into just that limiting category. His life spanning just over a century is an eminent testimony and a user manual of all-round accomplishment, and a lesson on living life productively, fruitfully, and not wasting a single second.

It is common knowledge that Sir MV transformed the Mysore State into what was then known as ‘model state’. Every initiative he seeded continues to bear rich fruit even to this day: State Bank of Mysore, the Mysore University ( which boasted of such eminences as Radhakumud Mookerji, Dr S Radhakrishnan, M Hiriyanna), the iconic Krishnaraja Sagar Dam, the Kuduremukh Iron Ore Company, and the flood protection system in Hyderabad.

He had indeed attained the pinnacle of professional achievement when he was appointed the Chief Engineer of Mysore in 1909, an offer that came to him after he opted for voluntary retirement in 1908 and embarked on a world tour to study the systems in the industrialised West and returned home armed with a brilliant vision for the economic development of India.

And so when Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, Maharaja of Mysore offered him the Diwan’s position, his condition was straightforward: he wanted unshackled freedom to implement this vision. As DV Gundappa notes, “he didn’t ascend to the Diwan’s position with an intent to serve self-interest but with an intent to discharge a self-imposed duty”. Sir M Visvesvaraya’s life-mantra was one of thinking about duty before occupying high office and to reflect on whether he was qualified to occupy said office. All other considerations like caste, education, and seniority were merely incidental and secondary. It’s thus unsurprising that he accomplished so much in a brief, six-year span as the Diwan.

Indeed, this vision enabled him to select the best men from every walk of life and entrust them with both the responsibility and the independence required to perform their task to the fullest of their abilities. If Mysore University attracted the finest talent in its prime, it was because of H.V Nanjundayya, who laid such impeccable foundations. It is a reflection of the solid character and mettle of the people of that era that the selfsame H.V. Nanjundayya had earlier been in the reckoning for the Diwan’s position, which he willingly ceded to the more deserving Sir M Visvesvaraya. Equally, H.V. Nanjundayya gave up his vast and imposing bungalow to the Government so a girls’ school could be housed there, at a time when there was much talk about giving education to the girl child.

While on the political front, the freedom movement was slowly peaking, Sir M V realised the need for solid economic progress, which would make political freedom meaningful and enduring. Science, education, discipline, initiative and hard work would be the tools required to attain that economic progress. Equally, his vision was also guided by a dismay and shock at the appalling poverty in the country, a kind of pervasive sloth among people to better their own lot, and general indiscipline.

It’s not an exaggeration to claim that his life was a synonymn for all of these — from his dressing, food habits, and conduct.

He maintained a strict separation of the professional and the personal till his last breath. He would carry two separate sets of candles — one to use when he was engaged in office work and the other for his private reading, etc in places that were yet un-electrified. He never allowed his friends and relatives to come anywhere close to his official matters, much less do them favours, an aspect that earned him severe ire in those circles. However, on the side, he set aside a substantial portion of his earnings to help the poor but deserving get an education. The number of poor but bright students who have benefitted from his selfless largesse is legion but almost all his help has remained a secret.

For the interested reader, there exists legendary anecdotes regarding Sir MV’s professional strictness. A certain matter had remained unresolved for months, and the files related to them lost in the bureaucratic maze at the secretariat. Despite countless reminders, when the documents remained missing, he recorded his frustration thus: “The secretariat has neither a body to kick nor a soul to damn. At this rate, how can work go on?” Yet another instance showcases his economic vision. Until his time, the state treasury had stashed up enormous sums of money as reserves to be used for contingencies like natural disasters, etc. Sir MV viewed them as dead capital. Instead, he opined that if they could be used well, they would come handy in creating national assets, having lasting value. And so when he implemented this vision, he gave the Mysore State — and the nation — lasting assets like the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam and as a consequence, rapid, massive electrification and industrial growth.

Two other prominent episodes testify the holistic and all-encompassing foresight of Sir MV towards nation building. The first is his wholehearted support for the advancement of the Indian Institute of Science (for long known as the Tata Institute), founded by Jamsetji Tata, who took Swami Vivekananda as his inspiration. The second is Sir MV’s tireless efforts to start automobile manufacturing in Bengaluru in which he was aided by the industrialist Walchand Hirachand Seth. The project was scuttled by the British and Walchand Hirachand eventually founded the Hindustan Aircraft, now known as HAL.

On a lighter note, we can cite DV Gundappa’s anecdote of the manner of Sir MV’s afternoon “rest”, which he believed was invigorating. His concept of rest included hanging his turban to a nail, curling up while seated on the chair, pencil in one hand and paper in the other. The eyelids would be closed. This “rest” would conclude after 10 minutes. DV Gundappa notes philosophically and admiringly that sleep was firmly under Sir MV’s control, a form of self-restraint.

As a corollary of sorts, we can also recall a very humbling anecdote that establishes Sir MV’s personality like no other. In 1958, he attended the diamond jubilee of the iconic Modern Hindu Hotel to which he had contributed in no small measure. It had rained a fair bit that evening. After the celebrations and dinner, when he headed out, DV Gundappa was concerned that the 97 year-old MV might step into one of the water-clogged potholes in the hotel’s compound, and offered him his walking stick. He accepted it and in the immediate second, threw it away, exclaiming, “one had better perish than live so helplessly!”

It was this force of character — apart from his other attainments — that attracted eminent men to Sir M Visvesvaraya: Mahadev Govind Ranade, Gopala Krishna Gokhale, DV Gundappa, Sir Mirza Ismail (who later became the Diwan of Mysore), GA Natesan, and the Nizam of Hyderabad among others.

Sir M Visvesvaraya’s glorious tenure was cut short by sour developments. The ugly agitation that began in the form of the Justice Party in Tamil Nadu and the demand for casteist and communal reservations in government jobs quickly spread to Mysore. In 1917-18, the Mysore Praja Paksha (Mysore People’s Party) led by M Basavayya was established. In an aggressive speech, another prominent leader, Ghulam Mohammad Mekhri (after whom today’s Mekhri Circle in Bengaluru is named) accused the Maharaja’s government of being corrupt at the highest levels and taunted that he was asleep at the helm.

Sir MV who believed and practiced the principle that merit and competence were the only factors in deciding government jobs (or any position for that matter), naturally opposed this. But he was helpless in the face of mounting agitation that listened to neither sage counsel nor reason. MV applied for leave for a year and travelled abroad. Upon his return, he resigned. Thus ended an illustrious career in public and national service on 9 December, 1918.

Post retirement, he lived on rent in a bungalow named ‘Uplands’ near the Bengaluru Golf Course. Eventually, he had to vacate it because the owner had other plans. Sir Mirza Ismail and DV Gundappa suggested that he move back to the Balabrooie bungalow, which he had occupied as Diwan. Sir MV responded that he could afford a maximum of Rs 150 as rent, but that the bungalow commanded a far higher rental value. Herein lies a lesson for the innumerable government-bungalow squatters of our own time — former ministers, MPs, and sons, daughters and families thereof, etc. That the court had to actually order their evictions is a testimony of this appalling descent in values in public life.

Sir MV was also a prolific writer of inspirational essays and short books aimed at the youth. Of these, DV Gundappa highly recommends his autobiographical Memoirs of My Working Life as a book that “must necessarily be in circulation,” and says that for the youth distracted by various ideologies and temptations, this book is like an “unwavering pillar of light”.

Indeed, it’s a tragedy of sorts that a definitive biography of this eponymous Bharata Ratna is still waiting to be written. We can close this essay with DV Gundappa’s pithy assessment of Sir M Visvesvaraya’s life and work:

Visvesvaraya was akin to a Maharshi ; he was pure, serene, virtuous, and the living embodiment of selfless love for people. We must say that the country, which has him bestowed upon it is fortunate. God had bestowed such a fortune upon our country. He however, didn’t give us the wisdom and the virtue of utilizing such a fortune for our own betterment. (Emphasis added)

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M. Visvesvaraya’s Legacy: Inspiring Generations of Engineers in India

Every year, on September 15th, India celebrates Engineers’ Day with great enthusiasm and pride. This date marks the birth anniversary of one of India’s most revered engineers, Sir M. Visvesvaraya. It’s a day dedicated to honouring the immense contributions of engineers to the nation’s growth, development, and progress. Referred to as the Father of Indian Engineering, his name resonates not only within engineering circles but also in the hearts of millions who have witnessed the transformation of modern India. Born on September 15, 1860, in Muddenahalli, Karnataka, Sir. M. Visvesvaraya was a visionary, an engineer par excellence, and a nation-builder. This article pays homage to the life, achievements, and enduring legacy of the man who played a pivotal role in shaping India’s progress through his unparalleled contributions in the field of engineering and beyond.

He went on to pursue civil engineering at the College of Engineering in Pune (then known as the Poona College of Engineering).

To know more about his early life, check out- https://constrofacilitator.com/sir-mv-knight-commander-of-the-indian-empire/

An engineer with focus on modern ideas

Sir M. Visvesvaraya’s lifelong focus on modern ideas and principles was a driving force behind his remarkable contributions to engineering, governance, and nation-building. He firmly believed that embracing the latest technological advancements was essential for a country’s progress. His innovative approach to engineering projects, such as the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam, showcased his commitment to modern engineering techniques and problem-solving. Visvesvaraya’s emphasis on efficiency, productivity, and innovation in infrastructure development left an indelible mark on India’s engineering landscape, setting new standards for modern engineering practices.

Moreover, his vision extended beyond engineering. As a statesman, he advocated for governance reforms rooted in modern principles of administration. During his tenure as the Diwan of Mysore, he introduced progressive reforms in education, industrial development, and public works, setting the stage for the region’s modernization. Visvesvaraya’s enduring legacy lies in his unwavering dedication to modern ideas, which continue to inspire generations of engineers, administrators, and leaders in India, emphasising the importance of innovation and forward-thinking in the path to development.

Diwan of Mysore

Sir M. Visvesvaraya’s tenure as the Diwan of Mysore is celebrated as a transformative era in the history of the princely state. Appointed to this crucial role in 1912, Visvesvaraya brought his engineering brilliance and progressive vision to governance. His most enduring legacy lies in infrastructure development, notably the construction of the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam, a feat of engineering that revolutionised irrigation and agriculture in the region. Under his leadership, Mysore witnessed remarkable advancements in education, industrialization, and economic self-sufficiency, setting it on a path of modernization that continues to benefit the state to this day.

Visvesvaraya’s role as the Diwan of Mysore also underscored the importance of visionary leadership in driving socio-economic progress. His commitment to education and innovation left an indelible mark on the region and served as a model for the rest of India. His legacy as both an engineer and a statesman continues to inspire generations, highlighting the immense potential of leadership when guided by principles of modernization and development.

His legacy and contribution

Sir M. Visvesvaraya was known for his exemplary role in technical projects and his distinct perspective on work, which emphasised efficiency, innovation, and meticulous planning. Here’s a closer look at his role in technical projects and his work philosophy:

1. Krishna Raja Sagara Dam:

The Krishna Raja Sagara Dam, located in Mandya district of Karnataka, is one of the largest and most iconic dams in India. Sir M. Visvesvaraya, during his tenure as the Diwan of Mysore from 1912 to 1918, played a crucial role in conceptualizing, planning, and overseeing the construction of this mammoth project. The dam, built across the River Kaveri, was designed to address the region’s irrigation and water supply needs. It involved innovative engineering techniques, including the use of automatic sluice gates designed by Visvesvaraya himself. The dam’s completion in 1931 transformed agriculture in the region, providing a reliable water source for irrigation and enabling multiple cropping seasons. This contributed significantly to the agricultural and economic prosperity of the Mysore State.

2. Automatic Gates Patented:

Sir M. Visvesvaraya’s genius extended to inventing automatic sluice gates used in the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam. These gates allowed for the automatic regulation of water flow, improving the efficiency of the dam’s operation and water management. Visvesvaraya patented this innovative technology, which became an integral part of the dam’s infrastructure. His automatic gates ensured precise control over water release, preventing floods during heavy rainfall and facilitating controlled irrigation during dry periods. This invention demonstrated his commitment to incorporating modern engineering solutions into large-scale infrastructure projects.

3. Iron and Steel Work at Bhadravathi:

Visvesvaraya’s influence extended to industrial development as well. He played a significant role in the establishment of the Bhadravathi Iron and Steel Works in Karnataka. This initiative aimed to promote industrialization in the region and contribute to the growth of the iron and steel industry in India. His vision for industrial progress was aligned with the broader goal of economic self-sufficiency for the Mysore State and the country as a whole. The Bhadravathi Steel Plant became a cornerstone of industrial development in Karnataka and contributed to the growth of the iron and steel sector in India.

4. Block System in Irrigation:

Visvesvaraya’s work on the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam also introduced the innovative block system in irrigation. This system enabled the precise control and distribution of water to different agricultural blocks, optimizing water usage and crop yields. It was a pioneering approach that allowed farmers to manage water resources efficiently, increasing agricultural productivity and supporting food security in the region.

5. Advisory Services for Construction of Mahanadi Dam in Odisha:

In the early 1940s, Odisha faced severe flooding along the Mahanadi River, causing substantial damage to crops, homes, and infrastructure. The government sought Visvesvaraya’s counsel to address the issue and mitigate flood havoc. Visvesvaraya’s advisory services were instrumental in conceptualizing and planning the construction of the Hirakud Dam on the Mahanadi River. This ambitious project aimed not only to control floods but also to provide irrigation, generate hydroelectric power, and facilitate inland navigation. Visvesvaraya’s engineering acumen and innovative thinking played a pivotal role in the successful completion of the Hirakud Dam, making it one of the longest dams in the world at the time. It significantly transformed the landscape of Odisha, bringing prosperity through agriculture and electrification while protecting the region from devastating floods.

6. Water Supply to Sukkur in Sindh (now Pakistan):

Visvesvaraya’s expertise extended beyond India’s borders. In the 1930s, he was invited to provide advisory services for a critical water supply project in Sukkur, a city on the banks of the River Indus, which is now in Pakistan. The project aimed to ensure a reliable and safe water supply to Sukkur, addressing the region’s water scarcity issues. Visvesvaraya’s contributions included planning and designing an efficient water supply system. His recommendations and engineering solutions facilitated the reliable distribution of clean water to the city, enhancing public health and the overall quality of life in Sukkur.

7. Flood Protective Dams and Embankments for Hyderabad:

Visvesvaraya’s expertise was also sought for flood protection measures in Hyderabad, a city prone to flooding due to its proximity to rivers and monsoonal rains. He provided advisory services and recommendations for the construction of flood protective dams and embankments in the region. These structures were designed to mitigate the impact of floods, safeguard lives and property, and ensure the city’s resilience during monsoon seasons.

Sir M. Visvesvaraya’s contributions to these projects showcase his enduring commitment to solving complex engineering challenges and his dedication to improving the lives of people through innovative infrastructure solutions. His advisory services left a lasting impact on flood control, water supply, and infrastructure development in the regions where he lent his expertise. His legacy continues to inspire engineers and policymakers across India and beyond.

Awards and Honours:

Sir M. Visvesvaraya was the recipient of numerous prestigious awards and honors throughout his illustrious career, acknowledging his exceptional contributions to various fields.

CIE Appointment: In 1911, King Edward VII appointed him as a Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire (CIE).

KCIE Knighthood: In 1915, during his tenure as Dewan of Mysore, Visvesvaraya received a Knighthood and was designated as a Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (KCIE) by King George V for his significant contributions to the welfare of the public.

Bharat Ratna: After India gained independence, Visvesvaraya was bestowed with India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 1955, recognizing his exceptional services to the nation.

International Recognition: His contributions also received international recognition, with an honorary membership from the Institution of Civil Engineers in London and a fellowship from the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore.

Honorary Degrees: Visvesvaraya’s exemplary achievements earned him several honorary degrees, including D.Sc., LL.D., and D.Litt. from eight distinguished universities across India.

Presidency of Indian Science Congress: In 1923, he assumed the presidency of the Indian Science Congress, showcasing his leadership in the field of science and technology.

Institutional Honours: Several educational institutions and establishments were named in his honour, including Visvesvaraya Technological University in Belagavi, University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering in Bangalore, Sir M. Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology in Bangalore, and Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology in Nagpur.

Statue in Alma Mater: His alma mater, the College of Engineering in Pune, erected a statue in his honour, symbolising his esteemed legacy.

Metro Stations Named After Him: Two metro stations in India were named after him – one in Bangalore on the Purple Line known as Sir M. Visvesvaraya Station, Central College, and another in Delhi on the Pink Line referred to as Sir Vishweshwaraiah Moti Bagh.

Sir M. Visvesvaraya passed away on 14th April 1962 at the age of 100, leaving behind a legacy for all engineers across the country. His unwavering dedication to engineering excellence, tireless commitment to public welfare, and love for his homeland and its languages leave an indelible mark on India’s history. As we reflect on his remarkable journey, let us remember the values of innovation, diligence, and devotion to the greater good that he embodied.

Legacy Celebrated Across India

Engineering Day, celebrated on September 15th in India, witnesses nationwide observance by various engineering bodies and associations, including the Association of Consulting Civil Engineers (India) – ACCE(I), The Institution of Engineers (India) – IEI, The Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE), among others. Notably, state-level engineering associations, such as the Kerala State Centre of the Institution of Engineers (India), also engage in regional celebrations, spotlighting local engineering achievements and challenges. Furthermore, educational institutions housing engineering departments, including prestigious NITs (National Institutes of Technology) and state universities, actively partake in Engineering Day festivities, hosting technical events, lectures, and cultural programs.

On Engineers’ Day, Constrofacilitator salutes Sir M. Visvesvaraya who has been instrumental in transforming the nation’s dreams into reality.  Let’s remember the words of  Sir M. Visvesvaraya: Remember, your work may be only to sweep a railway crossing, but it is your duty to keep it so clean that no other crossing in the world is as clean as yours. 

Happy Engineers’ Day to all the visionaries, innovators, and nation builders who keep India’s engineering spirit alive and thriving!

Image Source: news9live.com, odishabytes.com, tribune.com

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M. Visvesvaraya Biography

• 1904: Honorary Membership of London Institution of Civil Engineers for an unbroken period of 50 years
• 1906: "Kaisar-i-Hind" in recognition of his services
• 1911: C.I.E. (Companion of the Indian Empire) at the Delhi Darbar
• 1915: K.C.I.E. (Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire)
• 1921: D.Sc. - Calcutta University
• 1931: LLD - Bombay University
• 1937: D.Litt - Benaras Hindu University
• 1943: Elected as an Honorary Life Member of the Institution of Engineers (India)
• 1944: D.Sc. - Allahabad University
• 1948: Doctorate - LLD., Mysore University
• 1953: D.Litt - Andhra University
• 1953: Awarded the Honorary Fellowship of the Institute of Town Planners, India
• 1955: Conferred ' BHARATHA RATNA'
• 1958: 'Durga Prasad Khaitan Memorial Gold Medal' by the Royal Asiatic Society Council of Bengal
• 1959: Fellowship of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
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Biography of Sri Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya

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Nishant Kumar Dhiman

Arvind Kumar

MURALIKRISHNA REDDY

To commemorate the Birth Anniversary of India's Engineer-Statesman, commonly observed as Engineers' Day, Dr. L V Muralikrishna Reddy, President, ITCA, as a part of ITCA's Learning Society's initiatives has developed a publication 'Reminiscence of the Engineer-Statesman, Sir M Visvesvaraya' highlighting the relevance of Sir MV's postulates to the current-day industrial scenario of cyber-physical systems.

Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya is India’s legendary Engineer and Karmayogi whose birthday is celebrated across the country on 15 September. The year 2018 marks the 51st anniversary of the Engineer’s Day in India and the 158th Birth anniversary of Sir MV. An engineer par excellence, brilliant, charismatic and globally recognized as a leader of the engineering profession of that era, Sir MV’s birthday has been designated by the nation to acknowledge the contributions of the engineering fraternity for national development.

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Wit & Humour and Mokshagundam Visweswaraya (revised) study material for B.Tech 1st Year Students

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Sir m v: the legendary nation builder.

Keywords: Nehru Science Center Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya-life and work Automatic sluice gates Automatic sluice gate patent Mysor-chief engineer Krishan Raja Sagara Dam Dewan of Mysore Mysore iron and steel works

Publisher: National Council of Science Museums, Kolkata

Description: This document is a drawing on arrange of research , sources and images, documentary , visual audio , highlights, the unique contributions of Sir M Visvesvaraya in nation building

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M. Visvesvaraya (1860 – 1962)

- September 14, 2020

By Samyukhtha Sunil

Known as ‘The Father of Engineering’, Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya left behind a legacy that fast-tracked India’s technological and infrastructural transition, paving the path for a modernised India through sheer perseverance and determination. It is in the celebration of his legacy that India observes September 15th as National Engineer’s Day.

Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, fondly called Sir MV, was born to a poor Brahmin household on September 15th, 1860, in Muddenahalli near modern-day Mysore. It was believed that his father died when Sir MV was barely 15 years old. From then on, his journey in completing his school and college education was one that was filled with endless obstacles and hardships. He acquired a B.A degree from Central College in Bangalore. He went on to earn a scholarship for a civil engineering course from the College of Science in Pune which he completed as the valedictorian. Sir Visvesvaraya’s dedication towards his education was so strong that he would often study under the light of streetlamps late at night to catch up with his portions. During his time in college, he made a small sum of money by tutoring children after classes while still managing to top his university! He led a constant balancing act between earning for his family and trying to pursue his dreams in the field of engineering.

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Soon, he was hired by the Public Works Department for the Government of Bombay where he began to develop a keen interest in water irrigation systems, drainage and water supply. Early in his tenure, he even built a structure he dubbed the ‘syphon’; it could redirect water from the Panjra river into the nearby drought-stricken village of Datari. He was deeply passionate about the water conservation system, and his ideas and thoughts were far ahead of the times that they lived in. They helped bring modern irrigation and conservation systems to developing India.

It is believed that, while Sir MV was working on his syphon project in Datari, there was a night of heavy rainfall that caused the river to breach its banks and overflow. Sir. Visvesvaraya took shelter with some locals in the vicinity for a couple of days, but on the third day, he yearned to get back to work. The man apparently swam back across the river with the help of the local workers! It’s safe to say that he was willing to go to any extent for the passion he had for his work!

Armed with immense experience and ideas aplenty, he was appointed as the Diwan of Mysore in 1909 under the post of a Chief Engineer. His instincts told him to take on larger infrastructure and education projects to ramp up development in Mysore, which the Government gladly agreed to. What followed was a massive transformation that revolutionized the state of Mysore forever.

His most significant project during this tenure was the construction of the famous Krishna Raja Sagara Dam, which is still regarded as an engineering marvel and attracts hordes of tourists every day. Not only was its design par excellence, but it also served many purposes for the people of Mysore and the neighbouring regions. It supplied power to the Kolar Gold Mines, it led through vast expanses of farmlands, providing ample irrigation to regions that did not receive enough rainfall, and it also put Mysore on the map as the location for the largest dam to be built in India at the time!

Sir M. Visvesvaraya’s vision was one that went above and beyond. He desired to leave behind a legacy that the rest of the country and the future generations could constantly resonate with. He constantly visited large scale factories and industries to review their work and share his thoughts and ideas with them. He realized the worth of good education and demanded that it be free to all, irrespective of their social or economic strata. This is why he made immense contributions in the field of academia. During his tenure as the Diwan of Mysore between the years 1912-1918, he almost tripled the number of schools and colleges, from 4568 educational institutions to 11,294! He built technical and engineering colleges across the state and introduced compulsory education for all, which became a fundamental right in the Indian constitution. He also set up the first Government Engineering College in Bengaluru, now known as the University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering.

Sir MV had the creative vigour of a child throughout his life and did not shy away from questioning things and coming up with new ways to do things. It was believed that even at the age of 92, he walked to most places and did not take any assistance to do his own work. He was a man with a large heart and made generous donations to the people who worked under him; this was why he was left with only INR 36,000 in his final days. He was awarded the prestigious Bharat Ratna in the year 1955 for lifelong contributions to the field of science and engineering.

In 1962, at the grand old age of 102, he passed away peacefully at his home. His birthday was declared as National Engineers Day from 1968 onwards, and it continues to be celebrated not only in India but also in Sri Lanka and Tanzania! His innovations continue to ignite the minds of aspiring engineers everywhere, and has made engineering a desirable field of study for many Indians to this very day. His was truly a lifetime of sharing, nurturing and demonstrating that one should always push the boundaries of the ordinary!

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On Engineer's Day, here's remembering M Visvesvaraya, whose name is synonymous with vision and progress

It’s not an exaggeration to claim that Visvesvaraya’s life was a synonymn for all of these — from his dressing, food habits, and conduct. He maintained a strict separation of the professional and the personal.

When Sir M Visvesvaraya (or Sir MV as he’s widely known in Karnataka) took over as the Diwan of Mysore on 10 November, 1912, from his predecessor T Ananda Rao, there was widespread joy and celebration in the then Mysore State (now Karnataka). Here’s how the legendary DV Gundappa, for many years a close confidante of Sir MV, describes the event in his profile of Sir MV:

The common people who were far removed from political aims and aspirations greeted the new Diwan with enthusiasm. Their joy reflected, as it were, the dawn of a new era. This was evident, in an eye-arresting manner, in the Mysore Representative Assembly, which Sir MV held…one of the Representatives stood up, “Swami, we know you from your childhood days…Thanks to your birth, the Chickaballapur town has attained fulfilment for existing in this world.”

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, born on 15 September, 1861, in Muddenahalli near Chikkaballapur, not too far from today’s Bangalore International Airport went on to become India’s most prolific civil engineer, dam builder, economist, statesman, and can be counted among the last century’s foremost nation-builders. While we preserve his memory by celebrating his birthday as Engineer’s Day, it would be a tad unfair to box him into just that limiting category.

His life spanning just over a century is an eminent testimony and a user manual of all-round accomplishment, and a lesson on living life fruitfully.

It is common knowledge that Sir MV transformed the Mysore State into what was then known as ‘model state’. Every initiative he seeded continues to bear rich fruit even to this day: State Bank of Mysore, the Mysore University — which boasted of such eminences as Radhakumud Mookerji, Dr S Radhakrishnan, M Hiriyanna — the iconic Krishnaraja Sagar Dam, the Kuduremukh Iron Ore Company, and the flood protection system in Hyderabad.

He had indeed attained the pinnacle of professional achievement when he was appointed the Chief Engineer of Mysore in 1909, an offer that came to him after he opted for voluntary retirement in 1908 and embarked on a world tour to study the systems in the industrialised West and returned home armed with a brilliant vision for the economic development of India.

And so when Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, Maharaja of Mysore offered him the Diwan’s position, his condition was straightforward: he wanted unshackled freedom to implement this vision. As DV Gundappa notes, “he didn’t ascend to the Diwan’s position with an intent to serve self-interest but with an intent to discharge a self-imposed duty”. Sir M Visvesvaraya’s life-mantra was one of thinking about duty before occupying high office and to reflect on whether he was qualified to occupy said office. All other considerations like caste, education, and seniority were merely incidental and secondary. It’s thus unsurprising that he accomplished so much in a brief six-year span as the Diwan.

Indeed, this vision enabled him to select the best men from every walk of life and entrust them with both the responsibility and the independence required to perform their task to the fullest of their abilities. If Mysore University attracted the finest talent in its prime, it was because of HV Nanjundayya, who laid such impeccable foundations.

While on the political front, the freedom movement was slowly peaking, Sir M V realised the need for solid economic progress, which would make political freedom meaningful and enduring. Science, education, discipline, initiative and hard work would be the tools required to attain that economic progress. Equally, his vision was also guided by a dismay and shock at the appalling poverty in the country, a kind of pervasive sloth among people to better their own lot, and general indiscipline.

It’s not an exaggeration to claim that his life was a synonymn for all of these — from his dressing, food habits, and conduct.

He maintained a strict separation of the professional and the personal. He would carry two separate sets of candles — one to use when he was engaged in office work and the other for his private reading, etc in places that were yet unelectrified. He never allowed his friends and relatives to come anywhere close to his official matters, much less do them favours, an aspect that earned him severe ire in those circles. However, on the side, he set aside a substantial portion of his earnings to help the poor but deserving get an education.

Indeed, there exists legendary anecdotes regarding Sir MV’s professional strictness. A certain matter had remained unresolved for months, and the files related to them lost in the bureaucratic maze at the secretariat. Despite countless reminders, when the documents remained missing, he recorded his frustration thus: “The secretariat has neither a body to kick nor a soul to damn. At this rate, how can work go on?”

Yet another instance showcases his economic vision. Until his time, the state treasury had stashed up enormous sums of money as reserves to be used for contingencies like natural disasters, etc. Sir MV viewed them as dead capital. Instead, he opined that if they could be used well, they would come handy in creating national assets, having lasting value. And so when he implemented this vision, he gave the Mysore State — and the nation — lasting assets like the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam and as a consequence, rapid, massive electrification and industrial growth.

Two other prominent episodes testify the holistic and all-encompassing foresight of Sir MV towards nation building. The first is his wholehearted support for the advancement of the Indian Institute of Science (for long known as the Tata Institute), founded by Jamsetji Tata, who took Swami Vivekananda as his inspiration. The second is Sir MV’s tireless efforts to start automobile manufacturing in Bengaluru in which he was aided by the industrialist Walchand Hirachand Seth. The project was scuttled by the British and Walchand Hirachand eventually founded the Hindustan Aircraft, now known as HAL.

On a lighter note, we can cite DV Gundappa’s anecdote of the manner of Sir MV’s afternoon “rest”, which he believed was invigorating. His concept of rest included hanging his turban to a nail, curling up while seated on the chair, pencil in one hand and paper in the other. The eyelids would be closed. This “rest” would conclude after 10 minutes. DV Gundappa notes philosophically and admiringly that sleep was firmly under Sir MV’s control, a form of self-restraint.

As a corollary of sorts, we can also cite a very humbling anecdote that establishes Sir MV’s personality like no other. In 1958, he attended the diamond jubilee of the iconic Modern Hindu Hotel to which he had contributed in no small measure. It had rained a fair bit that evening. After the celebrations and dinner, when he headed out, DV Gundappa was concerned that the 97 year-old MV might step into one of the water-clogged potholes in the hotel’s compound, and offered him his walking stick. He accepted it and in the immediate second, threw it away, exclaiming, “one had better perish than live so helplessly!”

It was this force of character — apart from his other attainments — that attracted eminent men to Sir M Visvesvaraya: Mahadev Govind Ranade, Gopala Krishna Gokhale, DV Gundappa, Sir Mirza Ismail (who later became the Diwan of Mysore), GA Natesan, and the Nizam of Hyderabad among others.

Sir M Visvesvaraya’s glorious tenure was cut short by sour developments. The ugly agitation that began in the form of the Justice Party in Tamil Nadu and the demand for casteist and communal reservations in government jobs quickly spread to Mysore.

In 1917-18, the Mysore Praja Paksha (Mysore People’s Party) led by M Basavayya was established. In an aggressive speech, another prominent leader, Ghulam Mohammad Mekhri (after whom today’s Mekhri Circle in Bengaluru is named) accused the Maharaja’s government of being corrupt at the highest levels and taunted that he was asleep at the helm.

Sir MV who believed — and practiced — that merit and competence were the only factors in deciding government jobs naturally opposed this. But he was helpless in the face of mounting agitation that listened to neither sage counsel nor reason. MV applied for leave for a year and travelled abroad. Upon his return, he resigned. Thus ended an illustrious career in public and national service on 9 December, 1918.

Post retirement, he lived on rent in a bungalow named ‘Uplands’ near the Bengaluru Golf Course. Eventually, he had to vacate it because the owner had other plans. Sir Mirza Ismail and DV Gundappa suggested that he move back to the Balabrooie bungalow, which he had occupied as Diwan. Sir MV responded that he could afford a maximum of Rs 150 as rent, but that the bungalow commanded a far higher rental value. Herein lies a lesson for the innumerable government-bungalow squatters of our own time — former ministers, MPs, and sons, daughters and families thereof, etc. That the court had to actually order their evictions is a testimony of this descent.

Sir MV was also a prolific writer of inspirational essays and short books aimed at the youth. Of these, DV Gundappa highly recommends his autobiographical Memoirs of My Working Life as a book that “must necessarily be in circulation,” and says that for the youth distracted by various ideologies and temptations, this book is like an “unwavering pillar of light”. Indeed, it’s a tragedy of sorts that a definitive biography of this eponymous Bharata Ratna is still waiting to be written. We can close this essay with DV Gundappa’s pithy assessment of Sir M Visvesvaraya’s life and work:

Visvesvaraya was akin to a Maharshi; he was pure, serene, virtuous, and the living embodiment of selfless love for people. We must say that the country, which has him bestowed upon it is fortunate. God had bestowed such a fortune upon our country. He however, didn’t give us the wisdom and the virtue of utilizing such a fortune for our own betterment.

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Birth Anniversary of M.Visvesvaraya

• 16 Sep 2019
• Quick Facts For Prelims

Every year India celebrates Engineer's Day on September 15 , the birth anniversary of M.Visvesvaraya.

• He was an engineering pioneer of India whose genius reflected in harnessing of water resources and building and consolidation of dams across the country.
• He was the chief engineer responsible for the construction of the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam in Mysore.
• He was knighted as a Knight Commander of the British Indian Empire by King George V for his contributions to the public good in 1915.
• The design and patent of the automatic weir floodgates is also attributed to Sir M.Visvesvaraya.
• He was conferred India's highest honour, the Bharat Ratna in 1955.