Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya was an Indian engineer and statesman who is recognized for his contributions to the modernization of India. He was born in 1860 in Karnataka and received his education in civil engineering. Throughout his career, he held several important positions including Chief Engineer of Mysore and Dewan of Mysore. He is renowned for his engineering feats such as designing irrigation systems and dams, establishing industries, and founding prominent institutions. For his achievements and service to the nation, he was honored with India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna. He passed away in 1962 at the age of 102.
2. In Memory of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya September 15, 1860 - April
3. Born : September 15, 1860 Place: Muddenahalli village (Kolar district of Karnataka). Father: Srinivasa Sastry Mother: Venkachamma. Life & journey of a Centenarian
4. Life & journey of a Centenarian Education: Early Schooling in Chikkaballapur, 1881 : B.A. Examination from Central College Bangalore . 1883 : Civil Engineering from Science College in Poona. He ranked first in the L.C.E. and the F.C.E. Examinations ( equivalent to B.E. Examination of today ).
5. His Responsibilities Some of the job positions he held were: • 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]
6. Contd., • 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
7. Man with Values He was a strict vegetarian, teetotaler and non-smoker, an admirer of the old Indian joint family system. In business and industry, he admired the European and American methods, but in domestic habits he was a perfect Mysore Brahmin A Minister in Mysore once fixed an interview with Sir MV but was unable to come. Next day when he called on him, Sir MV told him, “you have committed a double mistake- firstly, by not keeping up the engagement yesterday and secondly, by coming when you were not.
8. Man with Values “ Slackness is the worst curse of the country.” At age of 90, a paper correspondent asked him how he felt and Sir M V remarked, “I find life interesting.” Once Sri C Rajagopalachari unexpectedly called on him. Sir MV was so smartly dressed, Rajaji said. “Even if I bring a photographer in the middle of the night, I can take your pictures. You will always be well groomed.”
9. Man with Values In Sweden Sir MV feel ill, the doctor suggested him to take a few drops of Brandy with medicine. For which Sir M V replied “If this life cannot survive without those drops, let it go.” On his own account book was written, “If you buy what you do not need, you will need what you cannot buy.” Sir M V was one of those rare human beings who practiced in personal life what he preached in public.
10. Major Achievements Bombay • Introduced the block system of irrigation • Designed a new system of systematic water weir flood gate • Established Deccan Club in Poona Bihar & Orissa • Selected site for a railway bridge on river of Ganga in Bihar • Hirakund enquiries • Water supply schemes through out the state Hyderabad • Schemes for flood protection & drainage for Hyderabad • Remodelling of Hyderabad city
11. Major Achievements • Architect of the Krishnarajasagara dam – or KRS or Brindavan gardens. One of the biggest dams in India which irrigates a hundred and twenty thousand acres of land. • Bhadravati Iron and Steel Works - as its Chairman he rescued it from becoming extinct.
12. Major Achievements • State Bank of Mysore (1913 it was first named The Bank of Mysore) • Founder of Mysore Sandal Oil Factory and the Mysore soap factory • Mysore Chamber of Commerce • Founder of Kannada Literary •Mysore University- Sir M.V.'s question was "If Australia and Canada could have universities of their own for less than a million population, cannot Mysore with a population of not less that 60 lakhs
13. Contd. Sir M. V.’s great dream was to see India prosper through industrialization. In 1920 he published a book, “Reconstructing India” & in 1934, “Planned Economy for India.” He coined the slogans, “Produce or perish”, and “Industrialize or perish.”
14. AWARDS • 1906 : "Kaisar-i-Hind" in recognition of his services • 1911 : C.I.E. (Companion of the Indian Empire) at the Delhi Durbar • 1915 : K.C.I.E. (Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire) • 1921 : D.Sc. – Calcutta University • 1943 : Elected as an Honorary Life Member of the Institution of Engineers(I) • 1944 : D.Sc. – Allahabad • 1904 : Honorary Membership of London Institution of Civil Engineers for The Knight Commander Of The Indian Empire
15. Contd., • 1948 : Doctorate - LLD., Mysore Uni. • 1953 : D.Litt – Andhra University • 1953 : Awarded the Honorary Fellowship of the Institute of Town Planners, India • 1955 : Conferred BHARATHARATNA‘ (The gem of India), the highest civilian award of the country • 1958 : 'Durga Prasad Khaitan Memorial Gold Medal‘ by the Royal Asiatic Society Council of Bengal
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17. Contd., • His alma mater, the College of Engineering, Pune (COEP) has erected a statue in his memory and honor on their campus in central Pune, immediately outside the historic COEP administration building. • The Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum , Bangalore, set up as part of his birth centenary celebrations. • Vishweshwaraya Iron and Steel Limited, a public sector undertaking, in the founding of which he was
18. The End On 14-April-1962 at 6.15am at the age of 102 years,, Sir M V breathed his last, peacefully. sanjay_asati@yahoo.co.in
