Visvesvaraya Jayanti 2022 is also called Engineers Day 2022. In every part of the nation, September 15 is also observed as “Engineer’s Day” in honor of the birth anniversary of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya. He was awarded the title of Bharat Ratna & Knight Commander of the British Indian Empire (KCIE) by India in 1955 & King George V for his contributions to the development of the country. His notable achievement was the construction of the Krishna Raja Sagara dam in Mysuru as chief engineer. He possessed qualities like integrity, selflessness, diligence, etc.
Sir Visvesvaraya had dedicated his life towards nation building and he epitomises all the qualities of an ideal engineer throughout this life. Hence in a Amrit Kaal, every citizens should honour him by celebrating his birthday as Engineers’ Day.
Engineers Day 2022:Sir M Visvesvaraya Details(1860-1962)
Personal Life
Sir M Visvesvaraya, often known as Sir MV, was born on September 15, 1861, in Muddenahalli, Mysore kingdom, to a Telugu Brahmin family. He served as the nineteenth Diwan of Mysore for a period of seven years, from 1912 to 1919. He was a civil engineer, statesman, and civil engineer. He completed his engineering degree which was considered one of the highest degrees at that time, from the College of Engineering, Pune, one of the oldest engineering colleges in Asia.
He has written in his autobiography that he had to go through many difficult situations while studying civil engineering but he never got discouraged. He followed the four principles from beginning to end during his lifetime.
1. Work diligently. Don’t shy away from hard work.
2. Set the timing of the scheduled tasks. By inculcating the habit of working on time, the work gets done more and better. Therefore, it is most important to complete the work on time. If you do not do this, the duration of the work will keep increasing, and eventually, the work will not be completed.
3. Keep thinking about how tomorrow can be a better job than today. Try to learn more from what you have learned. Think, plan, and after considering the merits and demerits, put in your work.
4. Don’t be arrogant. Make your nature humble and inculcate the habit of working together with colleagues.
Career: Contributions & Achievements of M Visvesvaraya
He joined the PWD department of Mumbai after completing engineering. Even in the absence of resources and high technology, he completed many projects successfully like Krishnarajasagar Dam, Bhadravati Iron and Steel Works, Mysore Sandal Oil and Soap Factory, Mysore University, and Bank of Mysore. After seeing his works ,Britishers also became admirers of his skills and hard work.
At the age of 32, while working for the Sukkur (Sindh) Municipal Corporation, he prepared a plan to supply water from the Indus river to the town of Sukkur, which was liked by all the engineers.
Visvesvaraya had developed a block system in which he had made provisions to stop the water from flowing to waste by utilising steel doors to make arrangements for irrigation water for the farmers by not letting go waste even a single drop. He was appointed as the Chief Engineer of Mysore State in 1909.
He was appointed as Mysore’s Diwan (second minister) in 1912 and held the position for seven years. With the help of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, the Maharaja of Mysore, Visvesvaraya made contributions to the city’s overall development.He played instrumental role in the founding of Government Engineering College at Bangalore in the year 1917. This institution was later renamed Visvesvaraya College of Engineering. He laid several new railway lines in Mysore state.
Even after being at the peak of his career, he paid his fair share of contributions as a responsible citizen of the country.He was concerned about the social leeches like illiteracy, poverty, unemployment, disease etc. in the Mysore state.
To deal with these problems, he suggested the formation of the Economic Conference. After this, he got the Krishna Raja Sagar Dam constructed in Mysore. Since cement was not made in the country at this time, the engineers prepared mortar that was stronger than cement.
Engineers Day 2022:Honours and Awards of M. Visvesvaraya
Sir M Visvesvarya was awarded the country’s highest honour ‘Bharat Ratna’ in 1955 for his public welfare achievements. When he turned 100, the Government of India enhanced his honour by issuing a postage stamp. Visvesvaraya, who worked for a long life of 101 years, used to say that- ‘It is better to keep working than to get rusted.’
1- 1904: Honorary Membership of the London Institute of Civil Engineers for 50 consecutive years
2- 1906: The title of Kesar-e-Hind in recognition of his services
3- 1911: Companion of the Indian Empire (CIE) )
4- 1915: Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (KCIE )
5- 1921: Awarded Doctor of Science by the University of Calcutta
6- 1931: By Bombay University LLD
7- 1937: Awarded D. Litt by Banaras Hindu University
8- 1943: Elected Lifetime Honorary Member of Institution of Engineers (India)
9- 1944: D.Sc. by Allahabad University.
10- 1948: the University of Mysore awarded Doctorate – LLD
11- 1953: Awarded D.Litt by Andhra University 12- 1953: Awarded Honorary Fellowship of Institute of Town Planners (India)
13- 1955: Awarded Bharat Ratna
14- 1958: Durga Prasad Khaitan Memorial Gold Medal by the Royal Asiatic Society Council of Bengal
15- 1959: Fellowship by the Indian Institute of Science
Sir M Visvesvaraya Death
As per nature’s rule of the mortal human cycle, every creature who enters the cycle of birth experiences an end with a death note.
Dr Mokshagundam died on 12 April 1962 at the age of 102. It is said that he was active till the last time. When someone asked him how he was fit at this age, he would say that when old age knocks on my door, I reply that Visvesvaraya is not at home. Then he returns disappointed. So we can never meet.