Bihar
Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya
- 16 Sep 2025
- 3 min read
Why in News?
The Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar, recently paid tribute to Sir M. Visvesvaraya on his birth anniversary.
Key Points
- About: Born on 15th September 1861 in Karnataka, he was an eminent engineer, scholar, and statesman.
- A graduate of the College of Engineering, Pune, he went on to become one of India’s most respected engineers.
- Engineering Contributions:
- He is best known for his pioneering work in flood control and irrigation projects. His design of the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam in Mysuru revolutionized water storage and irrigation.
- In 1903, he developed an innovative system of automatic water floodgates, which were installed at the Khadakwasla Dam in Pune.
- He played a critical role in the planning of the city of Hyderabad, improving its drainage and water supply systems.
- Role in Public Service:
- He served as the Diwan of Mysore (1912–1918) and implemented major industrial and economic reforms.
- His emphasis on education, public health, and industrialization laid the foundation for economic development in the region.
- He is widely recognized as an early advocate and practitioner of Economic Planning in India, called the Visvesvaraya Plan, which he presented in a book titled “Planned Economy in India”.
- Honors and Recognition:
- In 1955, he was awarded India’s highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna, for his exceptional service to the nation.
- In 1915, he was conferred the title of “Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (KCIE)” for his contributions to the public good.
- Sir M. Visvesvaraya was appointed in 1911 as a “Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire (CIE)” by King Edward VII.
- He received an honorary membership from the Institution of Civil Engineers, London, a fellowship from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and several honorary degrees, including D.Sc., LL.D., and D.Litt., from eight universities in India.
- He presided over the Indian Science Congress in 1923.
- His birth anniversary, 15th September, is celebrated annually as Engineers' Day in India to honor his legacy and contributions to the field of engineering.
