Vision and Philosophy Of M. Visvesvaraya Towerds Engineering, Technology, Science and Economics from Nisarg Desai's Idea / Prospect

This article is about Great Engineer who just don't do his job for his working organization and his project or for his family but to make his nation one of world`s leading nation in field of Engineering, Technology and thus the economically empowered.

to know about person follow the below link

https://www.engineersheaven.org/blogs/post/190

Here are a few more insightful quotes from Sir M. Visvesvaraya that reflect his visionary thinking and dedication to progress:

1. "The curse of our country is laziness. At first, we fight over trivialities. Then we blame others for our failures. There are some who constantly follow the old custom of depending on others and crying for help."

   • This quote highlights his disdain for complacency and his call for self-reliance and hard work.

2. "Self-examination, self-discipline, and self-improvement are the key to success."

   • Visvesvaraya emphasized the importance of personal growth, discipline, and self-reflection as essential traits for success.

3. "No one person or material thing could be credited with success. It is a result of teamwork, perseverance, and faith in a cause."

   • He believed in the power of collective effort and persistence to achieve great things.

These quotes offer a glimpse into Sir M. Visvesvaraya's values of hard work, self-improvement, and national progress.

This quotes are just a minimal reflections of his entire vision that he state in his book "Planned Economy for India" that has been published in 1934.

bookis open on public domain on following link https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.217923

Below are some key points from the book that i think still relevant for present time in India as well.

Sir M. Visvesvaraya’s "Planned Economy for India" (1934) is a visionary work that outlined a detailed strategy for India’s economic development during the pre-independence era. The book emphasized the importance of systematic planning to uplift the country’s economy and improve the standard of living for its citizens. Below are the key points from his "Planned Economy for India":

• Visvesvaraya stressed that India needed a comprehensive and structured economic plan to overcome poverty, unemployment, and backwardness.
• He argued that ad-hoc policies and scattered efforts were not enough to bring about sustained economic growth.
• He was influenced by Soviet-style five-year planning and advocated a similar approach to achieve rapid industrial and agricultural progress.

• One of his most famous messages in the book is “Industrialize or perish,” underscoring his belief that industrialization was crucial for India's survival and growth.
• He highlighted the importance of developing heavy industries like steel, iron, and textiles as the backbone of the economy.
• He advocated for setting up public and private enterprises to ensure balanced industrial development.

• Visvesvaraya emphasized that infrastructure development—such as roads, railways, ports, and power generation—was critical for economic expansion.
• He believed that without proper infrastructure, industrial and agricultural advancements would be limited.

• He emphasized technical education as a pillar of economic growth. He believed that India should create a skilled workforce of engineers, scientists, and technicians to drive industrialization.
• Visvesvaraya argued for vocational training centers and an emphasis on science and technology education to meet the demands of a growing industrial economy.

• Though a strong advocate of industrialization, Visvesvaraya recognized the importance of agriculture in India’s economy. He suggested modernizing agriculture through irrigation, improved seeds, and mechanization.
• He advocated for the establishment of cooperatives and scientific methods in farming to increase productivity.

• Visvesvaraya emphasized the active role of the government in planning and guiding economic development. He believed the government should lead large infrastructure and industrial projects.
• He recommended state intervention in key sectors where private capital was insufficient or unwilling to invest.

• He pointed out the need for balanced development across regions, ensuring that industrial and agricultural development didn’t just focus on a few urban centers but was distributed throughout the country.
• Visvesvaraya emphasized addressing the urban-rural divide and uplifting backward areas.

• A major theme of his plan was economic self-reliance. Visvesvaraya wanted India to reduce dependence on foreign imports by producing goods locally, thereby encouraging indigenous industries.
• He advocated for import substitution and export promotion, focusing on industries that could generate revenue and create jobs.

• Visvesvaraya discussed ways to mobilize financial resources for development. He suggested the government take the lead in securing funds for public works and industrial projects through taxation, public savings, and borrowing.
• He also stressed attracting private investment into infrastructure and industries.

• A significant goal of his plan was creating employment opportunities. Visvesvaraya emphasized the importance of absorbing the labor force into both industrial and agricultural sectors through the creation of new industries and the modernization of agriculture.
• He believed a planned economy could reduce unemployment and underemployment, providing jobs for millions of Indians.

• In the book, Visvesvaraya proposed a 10-year development plan for India, which outlined how the country could become a prosperous industrial nation.
• He set ambitious targets, such as doubling the national income and increasing per capita income, through strategic investments in industry, education, and infrastructure.

Though published in 1934, “Planned Economy for India” laid the groundwork for India's later adoption of planned economic policies after independence. His ideas on five-year plans and industrialization were similar to what India later implemented under its national planning framework.

In summary, Sir M. Visvesvaraya’s "Planned Economy for India" was a visionary document calling for systematic planning, rapid industrialization, and self-reliance to transform India's economy. His blueprint continues to resonate with India's development journey.