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| A tribute to Sir Mokshagundam Vishveshvaraiya : |
Our journey into the History of Institution of Engineers(India) and more so about Andhra Pradesh State Centre would not complete unless we remember about Sir Mokshagundam Vishveshvaraiya, who is fondly remembered as Sir MV. September 15 is celebrated as Engineers Day, because on this day 140 years ago, one of the greatest sons of India- Sir Mokshagundam Vishveshvaraiya, the towering personality in the history of Indian engineering, was born at Muddenhalli village in the Kolar district of Karnataka. Graduated from the College of Science, Poona in 1883, Visvesvaraya joined the Bombay PWD and rose the position of Chief Engineer. He worked relentlessly throughout his life to bring fruits of advanced science and technology to the doorsteps of the common man.
On retirement, his services were requisitioned by the Maharaja of the erstwhile Mysore State, who appointed him as Dewan. The following years witnessed an era of planned development and all round growth. A visionary who could think ahead of his time, Visvesvaraya realized that there could be no salvation for the people of the country except judicious use of the results of technological innovations. In recognition of his services to national development and for the cause of engineering, he was honoured by presentation of the country's highest award - Bharat Ratna - in 1955.
To perpetuate
the memory of this great engineer-statesman, September 15 every year is observed
as Engineers' Day. Every year a central theme of national importance is chosen
and deliberated on this day all over the country. The theme of this year's
Engineers' Day is 'India's Emergence in the Cyber Age'.
Life History of SIR MV at a glance.
Sir M.V. was born on 15th September 1861 at Muddena Halli, Karnataka. He had his initial education between 1871-1874 at Chikaballapur. In 1885 he joined Weslin Mission school at Banglore. In the year 1881Sir MV has passed B. A. in First Class at Central College Bangalore. At the age of 20, in the year 1881, he joined Engineering College at Pune, thus starting his historical career in engineering. In 1883 he obtained his Engineering Degree with distinction in the whole of Bombay Presidency. His professional career was started in 1884 when he was appointed as Asst. Engineer in P. W. D Bombay Government.
During 1884-1908, he Served Bombay Government till he was promoted as the Superintending Engineer and took voluntary retirement. In the year 1909,he was appointed as Special Chief Engineer in Hyderabad Government. During the period 1909 - 1912, he acted as Chief Engineer and Secretary of P. W. D. Government of Mysore. This is followed by Devan of Mysore during 1912-1918. Subsequently, Sir MV served India in various advisory capacities during 1919 and 1959 . After leading leading an active life for 101 years, he breathed last on 14th April, 1962 at Bangalore. Thus came an end to the life of an illustrious personality of India who offered a direction to all Engineers.
Achievements:
| 1891 | Established Deccan Club at Pune. |
| 1899 | Designed a New system of automatic Waste Weir Flood Gate. |
| 1901 | Introduced the Block system of Irrigation. |
| 1909 | Prepared a Scheme for Flood Protection work and underground drainage for Hyderabad city. |
| 1913 | Started the State Bank of Mysore. |
| 1914 | Started Mechanical Engineering School at Bangalore.. |
| 1916 | Established Mysore University and the State Engineering College in Bangalore. |
| 1918 | Approved the plan to establish Bhadravathi Iron & Steel Works and a Number of other industries. |
| 1927 | Designed and Constructed Krishnarajasagar Reservoir. Public Libraries were established in Banglore and Mysore. |
| 1936 | Automobile Industry Plan was prepared. |
| 1937-38 | NGbSU Flood Control works in Orissa. |
| 1941 | Establishment of All India Manufacturers' Organisation, and was President from 1941 to 1954. |
| 1942 | Started Sri Jayachamarajendra Polytechnic at Bangalore. |
| 1952 | Selected the proper site for a new railway Bridge to river Ganga in Bihar. |
| 1927-55 | Director in the Tata Iron and steel Co. Ltd. Bombay. |
HONOURS CONFERRED ON HIM :
| 1904 | Honorary Membership of London Institution of Civil Engineers |
| 1911 | C.I.E. (companion of the Indian empire) at Delhi Darbar. |
| 1915 | K.C.I.E.(knight Commander of the order of the Indian Empire) |
| 1921 | D.Sc. Calcutta University. |
| 1931 | LL.D. Bombay University |
| 1937 | D.LITT. Benares Hindu University. |
| 1943 | Elected as an Honarary Life Member of the Institution of Engineers(India) |
| 1944 | D. Sc. Allahabad University |
| 1947 | D.Sc. Andhra University. |
| 1948 | Doctorate-LLD. Mysore University. |
| 1953 | D.LITT- Andhra University |
| 1953 | Awarded the Honorary Fellowship of the Institution of Town Planners, India. |
| 1955 | "Bharat Ratna" Title. |
| 1958 | D.Sc. Jadhavpur University Calcutta. |
| 1958 | Durga Prasad Khaitan Memorial Gold Medal by the Royal Asatic Society council of Bengal |
| 1959 | Fellowship of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. |
PUBLICATIONS
Sir M. Visveswaraya published a number of reports on Engineering designs, works on technical education and on economic developments.
The following are some of his more important publications:
He had also published several pamphlets on industries and the same were issued through the all India Manufacturers" Organisation, Bombay such as:
In addition to the above, he had issued a large number of small publications pamphlets and reports on engineering economic industrial and other related topics.
The cetain portion of the above content was derived from the site of Nashik Local Centre of The Institution of Engineers(India).