Engineers Day: 15 September
Engineers Day: 15 September
Engineers Day: 15 September
2
Sir M. V. supervised the construction of the KRS dam across the Kaveri River from concept to
inauguration. This dam created the biggest reservoir in Asia at the time it was built. Sir MV was
rightly called the "Father of modern Mysore state" (now Karnataka): he was responsible for
building the very first electricity generation plant in Asia at Shivanasamudram near Mysore in
1894. During his period of service with the Government of Mysore state, he was responsible for
founding, under the aegis of that government, of the Mysore Soap factory, the Parasitoide
laboratory, the Bhadravati Steel factory, the SJP Polytechnic Institute, the Bangalore Agricultural
University, the State Bank of Mysore, the Mysore sugar mills and numerous other industrial
ventures. He also encouraged private investment in industry during his tenure as Diwan of
Mysore. He was known for sincerity, time management and dedication to the cause. He was also
instrumental in charting out the plan for road construction between Thirumala and Tirupati.
After taking voluntary retirement in 1908, Visvesvarayya was appointed Diwan, or First Minister,
of the princely state of Mysore, one of the largest and most important in India. With the support
of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, Maharaja of Mysore, Visvesvarayya made an arguably unprecedented
contribution as Diwan to the all-round development of the State. Not only the Krishnaraja Sagara
dam and reservoir, but also the hydroelectric projects at Shivanasamudram, the steel mills at
Bhadravathi, the Sri Jayachamarajendra Polytechnic Institute (SJP) at Bangalore, the University
of Mysore and many other industries and public works owe their inception or active nurture to
him. He was instrumental in the founding of the "Government Engineering College" at Bangalore
in 1917,one of the first engineering institutes in India. This institution was later named the
"University Viswesvarayya College of Engineering" (UVCE) after its founder; it remains one of the
most reputed institutes of engineering in Karnataka.
While he was Diwan of Mysore, Visvesvarayya was knighted by the British for his myriad
contributions to the public good. After India attained independence, Sir M. Visvesvarayya was
given the nation's highest honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 1955.
Sir M.V. was honoured with honorary membership of London Institution of Civil Engineers C.I.E.
(Companion of Indian Empire); was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
etc,. He was awarded several honorary doctoral degrees like D.Sc, LLD., D.Litt., from various
Universities in India and fellowship of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. He was
president of the 1923 session of the Indian Science Congress.
Source Link: http://www.bharatwiki.com/index.php?title=Mokshagundam_Visvesvarayya