The birth anniversary of Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, who is called Bhagirath of Karnataka, is celebrated as Engineers Day.
Every year on 15 September, Engineers Day is celebrated in India. This day Bharat Ratna Mokshagundam Vishveshyya (Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya) is celebrated at the national level to pay homage to him. He is identified not only as a successful engineer but also as a visionary planner, administrator and patriot. Their life is proof that true knowledge is not only from books but is achieved by curiosity and hard work.
Let us know on the special occasion of Engineers Day, how the British made fun of them? How did he make the British his admirer with his knowledge and the same British later honored him? It will also know why he is called Bhagirath of Karnataka and what contribution he contributed to other parts of the country?
Mokshagundam Visvesvarayya was born on 15 September 1861 in Chikkalpur district of Karnataka. Despite being born in a normal Brahmin family, his economic condition was very weak. Elementary education took place in Tirupati and Chikballapur. With hard work and dedication, he studied at Central College, Bangalore and then obtained a degree in Civil Engineering from the College of Engineering (COP), Pune. His early life passed into trouble because the father’s shadow woke up at a very young age.
First said illiterate, British were convinced of talent
During the early engineering job days, the British officials used to underestimate his talent and sometimes jokingly called him illiterate Brahmins. But Visvesvaraya proved him wrong with his behavior, thinking and amazing technical skills. It was night time. They were traveling in the train. A large number of British were also in that train. They were sitting quietly. Suddenly woke up and pulled the chain. The train stood up.
In fact, he heard an unusual sound on the tracks, but the British sitting in the bogie started calling him illiterate and good. Till then the train guard came to the bogey and tried to know what was the reason for pulling the chain? Then he told that a serious crack or fishplate has been removed in further tracks. This was proved in the investigation. In this way, a large number of passengers were saved. Then the British hitchhikers who called him illiterate played applause in his name. He was also honored over time.
Bharat Ratna Mokshagundam Vishveshvaraya.
What did Bhagirath of Karnataka give the country?
He gave many projects to the entire country including Karnataka, which increased the means of irrigation, got rid of floods. He is called Bhagiratha of Karnataka. This is also true. He also did a lot of work here, but in different parts of the country too, he worked on many big projects and the country benefited from it. This was the entire list of his contribution.
- Krishnaraja Sagar Dam (Krs Dam, Mysore): This is one of their biggest achievements. He built a dam in which automatic sluice gates were used for the first time in the world. This led to a revolutionary improvement in water management and irrigation system.
- Macal Irrigation Method and Water Management: He developed the water use system in many canals and irrigation schemes in a modern manner, which benefited millions of farmers.
- Modernization of Mysore State: When he became the Diwan of the state of Mysore (19121918), there was a rapid development of industry, education and infrastructure. Started Indian commercial banking. Iron and steel industry was established in Mysore. The foundation of Soap Factory, Aircraft Factory and University of Mysore laid.
Why is Bhagirath of Karnataka called?
Just as Bhagirath brought Ganga to earth, Vishweshwarya took the rivers of Karnataka to the fields through canals and irrigation projects. His policy of water management made Karnataka and nearby drought-prone areas green. For this reason, he came to be called Bhagirath of Karnataka.
What did you do for the country?
Mokshagundam Vishweshvaraya is often limited to Karnataka, while he worked in many parts across India and changed the circumstances there. Let’s see in detail.
Hyderabad (Telangana) Flood Control Scheme
- Problem: In 1908, there was a severe flood in the Musi River. The city of Hyderabad was destroyed, thousands of lives were lost.
- Contribution: He was called by the then Nizam. They created flood control and water management systems.
- Result: Usman Sagar and Himayat Sagar Lakes were built, which Hyderabad provided drinking water and security for decades. The city got a permanent solution and could become a major urban center of South India.
Bridge on Ganga River in Patna, Bihar
- Problem: The construction of the bridge over the Ganges was challenging to connect Patna and North Bihar.
- Contribution: Visvesvaraya helped by reaching there at the request of the officers and made his significant contribution to the design of the bridge.
- Result: The contact between Patna and North Bihar became easy. Business, education and industrial activities accelerated.
Work done for Pune and Mumbai
Problem: The process of industrial and urbanization was fast, water supply and drainage difficulties.
Contribution: For the Pune municipality, he prepared a systematic map of road and water management. The water distribution and drainage system of Bombay (today’s Mumbai) improved.
Result: Cities like Pune-Mumbai moved towards permanent urban development. Water supply schemes were used for a long time.
Industrial schemes out of Mysore state
- Problem: When Jamshedji Tata started the steel industry in India, he consulted Vishweshvaraya. He gave significant guidance from a technical point of view.
- Contribution: He was involved in the plan and water resources counseling of Tisco Tata Iron and Steel Company in Jamshedpur.
- Result: Heavy industry and indigenous steel production started in India, which later became the basis of industrialization.
Help in Delhi’s water and sewerage system
After Delhi was made the capital of British India, water and sewage arrangements were required. Visvesvaraya was called as an advisory engineer. He prepared a masterplan, developing clean drinking water and modern sewerage system in New Delhi.
Kadappa and other areas of Andhra Pradesh
There was a lot of drought problem there. He worked on canals and reservoirs system. Its positive results came out. Cultivable land increased and farmers got permanent irrigation facility.
Honor and award
- In the year 1955, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor.
- The British government conferred him to Knightthood (degree of SIR).
- Universities around the world gave him doctorate and honorary titles.
Simplicity and honesty was identity
Mokshagundam Vishweshvaraya was not only technical but also a symbol of discipline and morality. They used to get up at five in the morning and started working. Simplicity life and honesty were his identity. He always told the youth to run themselves on the path of honesty and hard work, only then the progress of the country is possible.
Importance of Engineers Day
On his birth anniversary, Engineers Day Manana is reminiscent of the importance of engineering profession and technical contribution to society. This day inspires us to use our ability and the power of science for the development of society and nation.
The life of Mokshagundam Vishweshvaraya is a proof that true talent cannot be suppressed by any joke or criticism. Those who once faced poverty and neglect, later became the biggest engineer and visionary manager of the country. He laid a new foundation of water management, industrialization and education in India with his technical knowledge and unique schemes. Therefore, he is not only Bhagirath of Karnataka but the pride of the whole of India. A lot can be learned by considering his entire life as a book.
Also read: 88 years ago who changed the anti -Hindi movement in the battle of supremacy?