Sir Mokshagundam Visweswaraiah

ೂೕ ಗುಂಡಂ ೆ ೕಶ ರಯ

September 15, 1860

Born Muddenahalli, Chikballapur Taluk, Chikballapur District,
Karnataka

April 14, 1962 (aged 101)

Died
Bangalore

Occupation Engineer, Diwan of Mysore

Sir Mokshagundam Visweswaraiah, KCIE (other spellings include Visvesvaraya,

Visweswaraiah, Vishweshwariah; Kannada: ೕ ೂೕ ಗುಂಡಂ

ೆ ೕಶ ರಯ ; 15 September 1860 - 14 April 1962) was an eminent

Indian engineer and statesman. He is a recipient of the Indian republic's highest
honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 1955. He was also knighted by the British for his
myriad contributions to the public good. Every year, 15th September is celebrated
as the Engineer's Day in India in his memory and is a public holiday in some
places, especially his birth state Karnataka.
 Biography
Early years
Sir M. V. was born to Srinivasa Sastry and Venkachamma at Muddenahalli
village, Chikkaballapur Taluk, Chikballapur District of present-day Karnataka, in
what was then the princely state of Mysore. His father Srinivasa Sastry was a
Sanskrit scholar and an authority on the Hindu scriptures, besides being an
Ayurvedic practitioner. Sir M. V.'s ancestors actually hailed from the vilzxvxclage
of Mokshagundam near Giddalur in the Prakasam District of present-day Andhra
Pradesh; they had migrated to Mysore state perhaps three centuries ago. The
family name "Mokshagundam", preserves the memory of this distant association.
The young Visweswaraiah lost his father at the age of 15. The family was
resident at Kurnool of Andhra Pradesh when this calamity befell them; they
moved back to Muddenahalli immediately thereafter. Sir M. V. attended primary
school at Chikballapur and high school at Bangalore. He earned his B.A. from
Madras University in 1881 and later studied civil engineering at the College of
Science, Pune, now known as the College of Engineering, Pune (COEP).

Career as engineer
Upon graduating as an engineer, Visweswaraiah took up a job with the Public
Works Department (PWD) of Bombay now known as Mumbai, and was later
invited to join the Indian Irrigation Commission. He implemented an extremely
intricate system of irrigation in the Deccan area. He also designed and patented a
system of automatic weir water floodgates, which were first installed in 1903, at
the Khadakvasla reservoir near Pune. These gates were employed to raise the
flood supply level of storage in the reservoir to the highest level likely to be
attained by its flood, without causing any damage to the dam. Based on the
success of these gates, the same system was installed at the Tigra dam in
Gwalior and the Krishnaraja Sagara (KRS) dam in Mysore.
Visweswaraiah achieved celebrity status when he designed a flood protection
system to protect the city of Hyderabad from floods. He was also instrumental in
developing a system to protect Visakhapatnam port from sea erosion.
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.

As the Diwan of Mysore

After taking voluntary retirement in 1908, Visweswaraiah 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, Visweswaraiah 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.
Honours

The Bharat Ratna medal

While he was Diwan of Mysore, Visvesvarayya was made Knight Commander of
the Order of the Indian Empire 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.

The Knight Commander Of The Indian Empire medal

Sir M.V. was honoured with honorary membership of the international Institution
of Civil Engineers (based in London) and a fellowship of the Indian Institute of
Science (based in Bangalore). He also was awarded several honorary doctoral
degrees like D.Sc., LL.D., D.Litt. from various Universities in India. He was
president of the 1923 session of the Indian Science Congress.
The family temple at Muddenahalli

The Hanuman deity discovered by Sir M. V.'s mother. It is

now at the Hanuman Temple at Muddenahalli
There is an interesting true story about how Sir M.V.'s mother discovered a stone
that had an image carved into it. One day, when she was returning home by
bullock cart, she noticed a stone lying in a field at the edge of the road. A few
days later, she found the stone still there. After several trips past the stone, she
stopped the bullock cart one day and asked the villagers who the stone belonged
to. The villagers did not know who the stone belonged to nor how it had got there.
The stone was taken to her house and she had a temple constructed which exists
to this day.
Memorial at Muddenahalli

The Samadhi of Sir M.V. at Muddenahalli

There is a beautiful and very picturesque memorial of Sir M. V. located on the

family-owned land at Muddenahalli, with the Nandi Hills as a backdrop.
Institutions in his honour

Sir M Visvesvaraya Institute Of Technology (popularly known as Sir

M.V.I.T),Bangalore is named after Sir M.V.

 The University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Bangalore popularly

known as UVCE, is an engineering college affiliated to the Bangalore
University, established in the year 1917, by Bharat Ratna Sir M.
Visvesvaraya. The collge was renamed University Visvesvaraya College of
Engineering from its earlier name University College of Engineering,
Bangalore in honour of its illustrious founder Sir. M Visvesvaraya.
 Visweswaraiah National Institute of Technology (V.N.I.T.), Nagpur
(Formerly Visvesvaraya Regional College of Engineering) was established
in the early 1960s in his honour. The college is among the elite 17 National
Institutes of Technology (Formerly Regional Engineering Colleges) in India

 The Visweswaraiah Technological University, Belgaum, to which nearly all

engineering colleges in Karnataka are now affiliated

 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 instrumental

His alma mater, the College of Engineering, Pune (COEP) has erected a statue
in his memory and honour on their campus in central Pune, immediately outside
the historic COEP administration building.

Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mokshagundam_Visvesvarayya
 BIO-DATA OF SIR.M.VISVESVARAYA

Important Milestones

15th Sept. 1861 : Born at Muddena Halli , Karntaka .

1871-1874 : Initial Education at Chikaballapur

1875 : Joined Weslian Mission School at Bangalore.

1881 : Passed B.A. in First Class at Central College of Bangalore
1881 : Joined Engineering College at Pune

: Obtained his Engineering Degree with distinction in the whole

1883
of Bombay Presidency.
1884 : Appointed as Asst.Engineer in P.W.D.Bombay Government

: Served Bombay Government till he became the

1884-1908
Superintending Engineer and took Voluntary retirement.
1909 : Special Chief Engineer in Hyderabad Government
1909-1912 : Chief Engineer and Secretary P.W.D. Government of Mysore

1912-1918 : Dewan of Mysore

1919-1959 : Served India in various advisory capacities

1962 14th April : Breathed his last at Bangalore

Achievements :

: Designed water supply and sanitary system for Sakkur(Sindh

1886
province) Nasik,Bombay province
1891 : Established Deccan Club at Pune in Association with
Sri.Mahadeva Govinda Ranade and Sri. Gopala Krishna
Gokhale
1899 : Designed a New System of Automatic Waste Weir Flood Gate

1901 : Introduced the Block System of Irrigation

1906 : Designed Drinking Water and Sanitary System for British
1908 : Usman Sagar and Himayat Sagar Reservoir project across
the river Moosi , Hyderabad
1909 : Prepared a Scheme for Flood Protection work and
underground drainage for Hyderabad City.
: Preparation of Project report for Kannambadi Anicut across
1912
river Cauvery
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 Bangalore & Mysore

1936 : Automobile Industry Plan was prepared.

1937 : Mahanadi flood control work in Orissa

1941 : Designed automatic Gate for Khadakwasla Reservoir Project

Establishment of All India Manufacturers' Organisation and
became President.

1942 : Established Sri.Jayachamarajendra Polytechnic at Bangalore

1952 : Selected proper site for a new Railway Bridge to river Ganga
in Bihar(Mokame). Promoting Construction of Sharavathi
Hydro-Electric Project. Establishment of Mysore Sandle Wood
Oil Factory Establishment of Mysore Central Industrial
workshop, Chrome leather factory etc. are also the
contribution of Sir.M.V.
Honours conferred on Sir.M.V.

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 Honorary Life Member of the Institution of

Engineers(India)
1944 : D.Sc.Allahabad University

1947 : D.Sc.Andhra University

1948 : Doctorate - LL.D.Mysore University

1953 : D.LITT - Andhra University

1953 : Awarded the Honorary Fellowship of the Institute of Town
planners, India
1955 : " Bharata Ratna" Award- Government of India

1958 : D.Sc. - Jadhavpur University Calcutta

1958 : Durga Prasad Khaitan Memorial Gold Medal by the Royal
Asiatic Society Council of Bengal
1959 : Fellowship of the Indian Institute of Science , Bangalore
 Works of Sir.M.Visvesvaraya

KARNATAKA

Chief Engineer 1909 to 1912

Dewan 1912 to 1918

1. K.R.S. Dam at Krishnarajasagar

2. Visvesvaraya Iron & Steel Works at Bhadravathi

3. State Bank of Mysore

4. Karnataka Chamber of Commerce
5. Mysore Economic Conference

6. Government Soap Factory & Sandal Oil Factory

7. Century Club & Ladies Club, Bangalore
8. Modern Hindu Hotel

9. Established University of Mysore also Visvesvaraya College of Engineering

10. Mechanical Engineering School

11. Agriculture School at Hebbal

12. Sri.Chamarajendra Technical School , Mysore

13. The Bangalore Press

14. Efficiency audit was started

15. Village improvement schemes
16. Malnad Improvement Committee

17. Civic & School Progress Association.

BOMBAY
Engineer 1884- 1908
1. Introduced the block system of Irrigation

2. Designed a new system of systematic water weir flood gate

3. Established Deccan Club in Poona
 HYDERABAD

1. Schemes for flood protection and drainage for Hyderabad

2. Remodeling of Hyderabad city

BIHAR & ORISSA

Engineer 1884- 1908

1. Selected site for a railway bridge to the river Ganga in Bihar

2. Hirakud enquiries

Water supply schemes - for all India ( 21 places )

Ahmednagar Bhavnagar Gwalior Nagpur

Akalkot Bhopal Hyderabad Nasik

Baroda Bombay Indore Poona

Bangalore Dharwar Kolhapur Rajkot

Belgaum Goa Morvi Sangli & Surat

Top
OUTSIDE INDIA
1. Aden-water supply and drainage

2. Sukur Barage Project Survey

 Sri. M.V.'s Guiding Principles

 Never to use One's Official position to bestow favour on his relatives

 An ounce of neatness is equal to a ton of efficiency A well dressed person does
things in a much better way than a slovenly one
 That a person who is neat in his dress can be clean and straight in his life.
 Industrialise or perish
 Always work hard.
 Always support a worthy cause at any cost.
 Nature never excuses Lapses.
 He never tolerated slipshod work! He wanted things to be precise and not vague
 He was very punctual and expected everybody to be so.
 He never lost an opportunity to stimulate drive, action, alertness and hustle in
everybody who happened to meet him.
 Five hours for nature, seven for a very busy man and nine means lazy was his
rational budget for sleep.
 Hard work performed in a disciplined manner will in most cases keep the worker
fit and also prolong his life.
 Every man who has become great owes his achievements to incessant toil.
 The way to build a nation is to build a good citizen. The majority of the Citizens
should be efficient of good character and posses a reasonably high sense of
duty.
 Leaders should be truly patriotic and should believe in rectitude of conduct, Men
of Merit and capacity should be the criteria for all special jobs and government
appointments.
 Genius is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.
 Standard of efficiency is not determined by what we wish but by what we cannot
tolerate
 In essentials unity, In non essentials liberty, In all things charity.
 Duty before comfort was his ideal
 He believed in the famous maxim "Everything worth doing is worth doing well".
 Seek opportunities for service without waiting for a call.
 If we are to progress we have to implicitly enforce the American methods of "
Hustle" and German methods of hard work.
 Remember God helps those who help themselves.
 He did not like to be under any one's obligation
 He was punctual not only in keeping his engagement but also in all other
respects.
 The note books and pencils were his inseparable companions.
 He was in a hurry, in a very great hurry to catch up with the progressive
countries of the west on at least with Japan the rising sun of the east.
 Live within your income, have a purpose to give you any pleasure.
 He has said that it is worth while in life to make a pleasure of duty than a duty of
pleasure.