M. Visvesvaraya Family Tree

M. Visvesvaraya - A Lifestory

lifestory

The person known for great engineering in India was more than just an engineer. They had a vision and helped make modern India what it is. This person wasn't in a movie or at the Olympics, but what they did was just as important and lasting. Born on 15 September 1860, their life was during a time of big change, like a story from history. They gave their life to building things, leading, and helping the country. They left behind new ideas and helped build the nation. Picture them not on a field playing cricket, but at a table drawing plans for dams and water systems that changed dry lands. What they did wasn't about winning a sports game, but about fighting to make things better for people. Coworkers often said they planned things well and always worked hard. This person once said, "Work honestly, work hard; success will be yours." They helped with projects like the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam in 1924 and a system to protect Hyderabad from floods. This made them known as a great engineer. They weren't just building things, they were building a nation. In 1955, they got the Bharat Ratna, India's biggest award for citizens. It was a good way to honor someone who gave their life to help their country. They were a true hero whose story should be remembered.


Personality

  • He was very disciplined and planned everything carefully. He tackled each job with accuracy and paid close attention to the smallest details.
  • His honesty was absolute. He strongly believed in doing what was right both at work and in his private life. Visvesvaraya was a great leader who encouraged others to work together to achieve shared aims. He was a forward thinker, always looking for new and better ways to solve difficult issues.
  • Moreover he was extremely devoted to his work and to improving society. His ability to keep going allowed him to overcome obstacles and succeed, even when things were tough. Despite all he had achieved, he remained humble and easy to talk to. His focus on education and the advancement of India showed his dedication to the well being of the nation.

Family and Early Years

  • ● Date of Birth is 15 September 1861.
  • ● Chikkaballapur Mysore State is the birthplace of M. Visvesvaraya.
  • ● Father: Srinivasa Sastry - Occupation: Sanskrit Scholar Mother: Venkata Lakshmamma - Occupation: Homemaker.
  • He earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from the University of Madras. He then studied civil engineering at the College of Science Poona. He graduated from the College of Science, Poona, ranking first in his class.

Career Journey

  • A renowned Indian civil engineer and statesman who also served as the Diwan of Mysore from 1912 to 1918, had a career that lasted more than 50 years. His work had a lasting impact on India's infrastructure and industrial growth.
  • He started his career in 1885 as an Assistant Engineer in the Public Works Department (PWD) of the Bombay Presidency. He quickly became known for his creative irrigation methods and waterworks designs. His knowledge was key in creating and putting in place a block irrigation system in the Deccan area which effectively fought drought.
  • His most important accomplishment during this time was the automatic weir water floodgates he designed for the Khadakwasla Reservoir near Pune. He patented these gates which automatically controlled water levels, preventing floods and ensuring a steady water supply. This invention gained worldwide recognition and was later used in other dams around the world.
  • Besides irrigation he also made major contributions to urban planning and sanitation. He designed and oversaw the building of water supply and drainage systems for several cities, including Sukkur and Hyderabad in Sindh. His skills were also needed in Aden, Yemen, where he improved the city's water supply.
  • In 1912 he became the Diwan of Mysore, a job he held until 1918. During his time in this role, he led the industrialization of the state, creating industries such as the Mysore Soap Factory, the Mysore Iron and Steel Works (now Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant), and the Government Engineering College (now University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering). He also focused on education, infrastructure development, and social reform, leaving behind a legacy of progress and development in the region.
  • After retiring from the Diwanship he continued to help build the nation through various committees and advisory positions, promoting industrialization and economic planning. He received the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, in 1955 for his great contributions to the country. His birthday, celebrated on 0915, is recognized as Engineers' Day in India to honor him.

Awards and Recognitions

  • ● Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire (CIE) : Public services in British India - 1911
  • ● Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (KCIE) : For his contributions to engineering - 1915
  • ● Honorary Membership : London Institution of Civil Engineers - 1955
  • ● Bharat Ratna : For his exceptional contributions to the field of engineering - 1955.

Contribution to the Field

  • A respected Indian civil engineer administrator, and leader made important contributions to engineering, especially in watering land and building dams.
  • One of his most important accomplishments was creating and putting in place a block watering system in the 1900s. This system stopped water from being wasted and made more water available for watering land. He created an automatic weir water floodgate which was first used at the Khadakwasla Reservoir near Pune on 01 March 1903. These gates increased the amount of water the reservoir could hold and were later used at the Tigra Dam in Gwalior and the Krishnaraja Sagara Dam (KRS) in Mandya, Karnataka.
  • His work on the KRS Dam finished on 01 January 1931, was very important for providing water to water the land in the Mysore region. He also played a key role in designing a system to protect Hyderabad from floods. In addition, he helped start businesses like the Mysore Soap Factory and the Bhadravati Iron and Steel Works. His engineering skills and ability to manage things greatly helped India's infrastructure grow and its industries develop during his life.

Contribution to Society

  • A well known Indian civil engineer administrator, and leader (born 15 September 1860, died 14 April 1962) greatly helped society with his amazing engineering work and charitable actions.
  • His skill in engineering led to the design and building of the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam (KRS Dam) in Mysore finished in 1924. This dam supplied water for farming and drinking, which changed the farmland and improved the lives of many. He also designed the automatic gates that stop floods.
  • Besides engineering he was very important in starting schools. In 1917, he helped start the Government Engineering College in Bangalore (now University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering), which helped people learn about engineering and build their skills. He also played a key part in starting the Mysore Soap Factory and the Parasitoid Biological Control Laboratory.
  • He was dedicated to helping the public and served in different advisory positions where he helped make policies and build infrastructure all over India. He used his knowledge and influence to encourage industry and economic growth.

Notable Quotes

  • Here are some wellknown sayings credited to a famous Indian civil engineer administrator, and statesman:
  • He strongly believed that hard work leads to success. He once said "Work hard and honestly, and don't lose hope if you don't see results right away." This saying really shows how dedicated and determined he was.
  • Another famous saying that shows his practical way of dealing with problems is: "Remember that your work might be delayed but what is meant to happen will happen. Put your heart into your work, and whatever you do, do it well." This emphasizes how important it is to work hard and always do your best.
  • He also stressed the importance of being self reliant and developing the nation. He famously said "Make serious efforts to earn your own respect and the respect of others." This saying highlights his vision for a strong and independent India.
  • These simple sayings give us a peek into his values and the ideas that guided his amazing career which lasted from around 01 January 1880 to 14 April 1962, the year he died.
Discover the Legacy Behind the M. name
Discover the Legacy Behind the Visvesvaraya Surname
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