Sir M.

V A VILLAGE BOY TO BHARATA RATNA

…..In ancient Indian lore that an ocean can be compared with itself and the
Himalayas with themselves and with no other s. Sir M.Visvesvaraya can be
compared with himself, for there is no other like him. He is a rare combination
of ancient Bhishma and modern American Ford………

P.KODANDA RAO
Tribute paid to Sir M.V during his birth centenary.
 Sir M.V FATHER OF PLANNING IN INDIA
…… A great at engineer, an industrialist and a statistician, ther probably no
other man in India, who at his age is credited with as much varied service
to his country as Shri M.Visvesvaraya is. The author of two books,
Reconstructing India and planned Economy for India, he is the father of
idea of planned development in India………

From the citation on the occasion of awarding Bharata Ratna to Sir M.V
 Sir M.V ON INDUSTRIALIZATION

….Sir M.V believed in industrialization and it was his foremost

conviction that by the industrialization alone the standard of
living of people can be raised…………

A. RAMASWAMY MUDALIAR

….. Sir M.V. is one of those few distinguished leaders of this country
In the industrial leaders of this country in the industrial and
engineering field. He has always, been a man of great vision and
his is a life dedicated to the industrialization of our country….

LAL BAHADUR SHASTRY

 Sir M.V A FLOOD CONTROL AND AN IRRIGATION EXPERT

....Sir M.V is India’s greatest builder of dams. The country is

filled with the wonderful monuments in his engineering skills….

THE PEOPLE

( A LONDON DAILY)

.
 Sir M.V AN EDUCATIONIST

. It is the education and skills of citizens that separate the civilized and
uncivilized countries…….

.
Sir M.V

…..Sir M.V is as great an educationist as he is an industrialist….

G.D NAIDU

…..How can India progress if 80 percent of our people are illiterate…?

Sir M.V
 Sir M.V AS A SOCIAL REFORMER

....nether in his thought nor in his actions, Sir M.V was never
against any group or caste. His initiatives and views to uplift
backward classes, Hindu-Muslim unity , his opposition to child
marriage and blind belief about superstition, his advocacy for
family planning at that time itself. Have not been that much
highlighted as his other engineering and developmental
activities…

Author
 Sir M.V AND THE COMMITTES

…..Even though SirM.V did not held any official executive post after he resigned as diwan of Mysore to
implement his ideas and views regarding developmental activities, the country always looked
towards him for any major developmental and controversial issues considering his
objectiveness, sincerity and unbiased attitude, the country did use him as one could see his
involvement in various committees at national and state level even up to his age of 92 years.

AUTHOR
 Sir M.V AND INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE

…. For Sir M.V Science was his religion, human welfare his philosophy and truth his God….

KADIDAL MANJAPPA
 SIR M,V AND MAHATHMA GANDHI AND JAWAHARALAL NEHRU

…..Even though SirM,V differed with Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru on many developmental
issues, the respect that both had about Sir M.V can be seen on many occasions

AUTHOR
 SIR M.V A MAN OF UNPEACHABLEV INTEGRITY

…..Sir M.V is a man of incorruptible integrity and a model of personal purity…..

C.RAJAGOPALACHARY
 ….There was no trace in the ieast of either slackness or selfishness in the life of Sir M.V. The need of
such men is ever so much greater now that we have obtained freedom and we are the makers
of and masters of our destiny…..

KADIDAL MANJAPPA

Sir M.V TRIBUTES TO SIR.M.VISVESVARAYA

…. On the occasion of SIR M.V’s birthday centenary , a commemorative volume was published where in

glowing tributes have been paid by more than 45 distinguished personalities across society about the

great Sir M.V. The titles of articles and the contents speak themselves about the greatness of the

personality and contribution of Sir M.V to our country……

 AUTHOR

SIR M.V A TRUE BHARATA RATNA

….. We read in our scriptures about the benevolent lives of sages of ancient times and it would be no

Exaggeration to say that SIRm.V is one of the most benevolent and selfless sages of modern India….

LADY PRAMILA V. THACKERSEY

 …. It needs a combination of gifts that makes one great, In Sir M.V gifts abound , all of them directed to
the service of the natiom…….

PROFESSOR M.S.THACKER

WHY THIS BOOK?

It is often said that when we go through the life histories of renowned men in any field is

a source of great inspiration and a role model to follow from generation to generation. Sir

M.Visvesvaraya is one such great personality, a role model for every one who serves in public

Life. A great engineer statesman, a legendary visionary , a dreamer, a selfless career and a person

Of unbelievable integrity is always relevant to remind our present day politicians, administrators

SEngineers and other men in public service to be more objective, effective and contribute to the

Welfare of the society.

The stories of Ramayana nd Mahabharata are well known to us. Even then, how many books have been

Written and are being written highlighting the story and characteristics of the stories throwing new light

and vision on them . how many books and articles written about Mahatma Gandhi, Vivekanada and

such other great historians and personalities ? It is because of the relevance and importance to the

society. Many books have been written in Kannada and a few in English. Two years ago, a book on Sir

M.V was published in Hindi . Sir M.V’s birthday is being celebrated every year on 15th September

throughout India. Therefore , it is felt that another book on Sir M.V in English will be a valuable addition

to the available literature to understand and appreciate the greatness and contribution of this great

man to our country. A humble attempt has been made in the book to highlight more about his

personality rather than a detailed account of his professional and other contributions. I will be happy
to receive any suggestions and comments to the improve the scope of this book.

Dr.K.N.Venkatakrishna Rao

Mob: 9449635412

SIR M.V A PERFECTIONIST

Sir M.V’s success in getting things done at administrative levels is because of his like and preparedness

for any discussion or meeting. He always used to collect all statistical data regarding the issues to be

discussed the prevailing rules and regulations and his logical way of presenting it. The following two

important problems that he faced during the period when he was divan.

STARTING OF A STATE UNIVVERSITY, THE M YSORE UNIVERSITY IN THE STATE.

Sir M.V having travelled extensively abroad and observed the importance and level of higher education

in other countries and the fact that the state had no university , thought that it is very important to

start a university in the state at the earliest. Having done all the hard work and correspondence

regarding this, and the then British government was about to give its approval, there was serious

objections by the Madras university and the press controlled by the Tamil people was also totally

against the proposal. Sir M.V observed the illogical apposition and gave a fitting reply to it. The efforts

that were made by Sir M.V and the correspondence and discussions in this regard were so much can be

appreciated , if one goes through a book ,’ Mysore Visvavidyalayada Ruvary Sir M.V’ written by

Dr.Gajanana Sharma. The fitting reply by Sir M.V to the objections was as follows :
OBJECTIONS TO BUILD THE DAM ACROSS THE RIVER CAUVERY:

In spite of serious objections by the state of Madras, Sir M.V was able to get the approval of the then

British Government for building the dam for 90 ft, he was confidant that he can convince the British

Government to build the dam for a height of 120 ft, and accordingly pleaded with the Maharaja for

laying the foundation for a height of 120 ft. when a major catchment area of the river Cauvery was

from the state of Mysore and the state of Madras was only contemplating to build a dam in Mettur,

the illogical fear and against the natural justice to the riparion state of Mysore was waa highly not
justifiable, Sir M.V (even though retired), gave a fitting reply which demonstrate his ability to think

holistically and logically. He wrote to the press:

These two examples amply illustrate Sir M.V’s ability to pursue any thing with reason and logic

SIR M.V AND AGRICULTURE

Sir M.V believed that the economic development and progress of the country and progress

Of the country and to improve the standard of living of people can only be achieved if major

and minor industries are established in the country. This was his firm conviction and

therefore, he said ‘ Industrialize or perish ‘. However, he never meant that agriculture

should be neglected. He was for improving agricultural facilities in the country and appraise

the farmers to use modern and scientific methods to improve agriculture production.

Agriculture depends on the rainfall and during draught season, farmers faced problems to

run their families. In the absence of big reservoirs and in the absence of any other source of

income, farmers faced difficulties. He therefore advocated development of rural and

agriculture oriented cottage industries not only to supplement income of farmers, but also to

use the services of men and women, as all of them may not be required for agriculture.

His advocacy and starting of construction of a dam across river Cauvery at Krishnarajasagar

And His concept of block system of Irrigation to use the water optimally were steps in this

direcion.

Another major step was establishing an agricultural school in Hebbal near Baangalore.(Now

development as a major agricultural University I the country). He deputed an agricultural

scientist to Europe and America to study the agricultural education. Based on his report,

Mysore agricultural school. His address to the students of the first batch of this school in

1915 Amply demonstrated his vision about this agricultural institution.

The many agricultural and rural industries during his period as dewan exemplifies his concern

and vision of improvement of our villages.

 SIR M.V. A DISCIPLARIAN

“ Three things, those who hve worked with Sir M.Visveswaraya could

Learn from his each day were scrupulous punctuality, meticulous

Precision, untiring effort to do a thing well and his careful attention

To minute detail “
 Masti Venkaesha Iyengar

Sir M.VISVESVARAYA

A LEGENDARY VISIONARY