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Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya (commonly known as Sir M. Visvesvaraya) was one of India’s most revered engineers, scholars, and statesmen. He played a pivotal role in shaping modern India’s engineering landscape and is often regarded as a national hero for his numerous contributions to public welfare and nation-building.
Early Life and Education:
- Born: September 15, 1861, in Muddenahalli, a village in the Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka, India.
- Family: He came from a modest family; his father was a Sanskrit scholar and Ayurvedic practitioner. His father passed away when Visvesvaraya was still young, leading to financial hardships.
- Education: After completing his early education in Chikkaballapur, Visvesvaraya went to Central College, Bangalore, and later graduated in civil engineering from College of Engineering, Pune (then known as the Poona Engineering College) in 1883.
Major Contributions:
Engineering Projects:
- Krishna Raja Sagar Dam (KRS Dam): One of Visvesvaraya's most notable achievements, the KRS dam on the Cauvery River in Karnataka was built to provide irrigation and water supply to the Mysore state. It was considered one of the largest reservoirs in India at the time.
- Flood Control: He designed the automated floodgates installed at the Khadakwasla Dam near Pune. His flood control system was innovative for the time and prevented water wastage while efficiently managing water release, later implemented in various dams.
- Water Supply and Drainage Systems: He was responsible for improving water supply and sanitation systems in several cities across India, including Hyderabad and Aden (now part of Yemen).
Industrialization and Development:
- Economic Reforms in Mysore: As the Dewan of Mysore (1912–1918), Visvesvaraya transformed the state into a hub of industrialization. His work led to the establishment of the Mysore Soap Factory, Mysore Iron and Steel Works, and University of Mysore, among other initiatives.
- Bhadravati Iron and Steel Works: He was instrumental in setting up the Bhadravati Iron and Steel Works, one of India’s earliest industrial units.
Promotion of Technical Education:
- University of Mysore: In 1916, he helped establish the University of Mysore, promoting higher education and technical studies in the region.
- He consistently advocated for technical education, believing that a strong foundation in science and engineering was essential for India’s modernization.
Visionary Ideas:
- Public Administration: As a statesman, he implemented rigorous administrative reforms to make public institutions more efficient.
- Author: He authored several books, such as Reconstructing India and Planned Economy for India, where he emphasized the importance of planning, industrialization, and economic development for India's future.
Honors and Recognition:
- Bharat Ratna (1955): Visvesvaraya was awarded India's highest civilian honor in recognition of his immense contribution to public welfare and the field of engineering.
- Knight Commander of the British Indian Empire (KCIE, 1915): He was knighted by King George V in 1915 for his contributions to the public good.
- Institutes and Monuments: Several engineering institutions and public structures have been named after him, including the Visvesvaraya Technological University in Karnataka and the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum in Bangalore.
Legacy:
Sir M. Visvesvaraya is remembered not only for his technical prowess but also for his vision of a self-reliant India. He believed in the power of knowledge, hard work, and engineering to transform society. His legacy as a pioneer in Indian engineering and a dedicated public servant is celebrated every year on his birthday, September 15, as Engineers' Day in India.
He passed away at the age of 101 on April 14, 1962. His life remains an inspiration for engineers and innovators worldwide.
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