A Brief Biography Born - September 15 , 1860

1. Sir Mokshagundam Vishweshwariya A Brief Biography Born- September 15, 1860 • Birth Place- Village Muddenahalli in Chikballapur Taluk, Kolar District, Mysore( Now Karnataka) • Parents- • Father- Sh. Srinivasa Sashtri was a Sanskrit scholar and Ayurvedic practitioner. • Mother- Smt.Venktalakshamma • He lost his father when he was only 15 years old. • Education- • Graduated from- Central College in Bangaloore (in 1881) • Civil Engineering from College of Engineering,Pune • In 1883 he ranked first in the L.C.E. and the F.C.E. Examinations (equivalent to B.E. Examination of today • Occupation- • Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya was an eminent engineer and statesman and played a key role in building of modern India. • Achievements- • He was an extraordinary engineer, a statesman, a visionary and a staunch votary of industrialization. • The Bharat Ratna Award • The Knight Commander of The Indian Empire medal • Died- • April 14, 1962 (aged 101)

2. The name “MOKSHAGUNDAM” Mokshgundam is a “Agarhara”-a place where saints live, in Shidhanoor village of Kurnul district of Aandhra Pardesh. This is a holy place of hindus. Sir M. V.'s ancestors actually hailed from the village of Mokshaingundam. They migrated to Mysore state (now Karnataka) later on. The family name "Mokshagundam", preserves the memory of his association with Andhra Pradesh. 

3. Some of the honours and laurels conferred on Sir M.V., ACHIEVEMENTS KICE The Knight Commander of The Indian Empire medal The “Bharat Ratna” Award

4. The Vishweshwariah Industrial and Technological Museum,BangalUrU Outside view of the Museum Inside view of the Museum • As the part of his birth centenary celebrations, the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum was set up in Bangalore in 1962. • Run by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, the Vishweshwariah Industrial and Technological Museum is recognized as one of the most sought after tourist attractions in Bangalore.

5. The Vishweshwariah Industrial and Technological Museum, Bangalore • There are five different galleries in the Vishweshwaraiah Industrial and Technological Museum. These galleries are named as: • Childrens' Science Gallery • Kimbe Paper Metals Gallery • Popular Science Gallery • Engine Hall Electronic Technology Gallery • Of the above five galleries, the 'Electro Technic' gallery of the Vishweshwariah Industrial and Technological Museum, Bangalore was made accessible to the public in the year 1965. The Main Activities running in this Museum: • Taramandal Show • Sky Observation Program • Computer Fair • Science Quiz Contest • Science Demonstration Show • Creative Ability Center • Student's Science Seminar • Southern India Science Fair • Science Drama Competition • Popular Science Lecture • The exhibits of airplane and steam engine are definitely among the eye-catchers here. 

6. Vishweshwariya Technological University Vishweshwariya Technological University, Belgaum, named after Bharat Ratna Sir M. Vishweshwariya, is a dream comes true of Technocrats and Academicians of Karnataka, to which all the state engineering colleges of the Karnataka state are now affiliated. The University is functioning and continues to function with a VISION, MISSION and MANDATE.

7. Krishnaraja Sagar reservoir/Dam

8. Different Views of Krishna Sagar Dam The KS Dam was built through great efforts of Sir M. Vishweshwariya. The construction work was started in 1911 but completed in 1933. This Dam is also famous with name “Kannambaddi”. There is a world famous so beautiful Brindavan Garden in the valley of this dam. Sir M. Vishweshwariya is still alive through his such great contributions to the nation.

9. The Krishnaraja Sagar reservoir/Dam across the legendary Cauvery River is round 18km north-west of Mysore.  The Brindavan Gardens are located just a level below the dam.Often described as the best example of illuminated terrace gardens in the country, the idea was brainchild of Sir M.Visveshwaraiah and Sir Mirza M ismail, former Dewan of Mysore.  The overall design here displays an orientation of Mughal patterns-with garden paths and a shimmering necklace of fountains.On the South bank there is a pavilion, where visitors can get a breathtaking view of the gardens.  Other highlights at the gardens include a children’s park, a fisheries station and a hydraulic research station.  Adding a touch of sanctity to the place is a beautiful sculpture of Goddess Cauvery at the foot of the dam. The Brindavan Gardens

10. Gandhi Ji’s conversation with Visveswaraya • In a letter to Visveswaraya in the 1930’s, Gandhi wrote, “In spite of the strength of my conviction, I have great regard for your fine abilities and love for the country and that shall be unabated(undiminished) whether I have the good fortune to secure your cooperation or face your honest opposition... I see that we hold perhaps diametrically opposite views. My conviction based upon extensive experiences of village life is that in India, at any rate for generations to come, we shall not be able to make much use of mechanical power for solving the problem of the ever growing poverty of the masses.” • To which Visvesvaraya replied, “You say we hold perhaps diametrically opposite views. You are for developing village industries and I favour both heavy industries and village industries. To the extent that you propose to advance village industries, I am at one with you. I can never persuade myself to take up a hostile attitude towards any constructive work, from any quarter, least of all towards work attempted by one with your brilliant historic achievements in public life... I am in favour of heavy industries because heavy industries will save the money that is going out of the country in large sums every year; heavy industries are required to provide the local manufactures of machinery and equipment required by our railways and for defence forces and heavy industries are required also for supplying machinery and tools for the village industries themselves. I recommend more extended use of mechanical power because it produces results for the country much more rapidly than human power. The object is to get food and commodities required by our people for a decent standard of living as speedily as possible..."

11. Engineer’s Day : September 15th Sir M. Vishweshwarayia was an great Indian Engineer. Every year, his birhtday September 15th is celebrated as the Engineer's Day in India in his memory. He was a versatile personality. He not only designed and built large dams and water supply schemes, which was his forte(speciality), but also contributed to industrial development by planning a steel plant, railway system of Mysore, effective technical education for the posterity(succeeding generations) and even a reputed financial institution – namely the Mysore Bank.  What made him a unique person was his foresight and grand vision of industrial development which he considered extremely important to alleviate India's poverty. Effective utilization of water resources to provide safe drinking water and appropriate irrigation was his passion. He did not take up large engineering projects unless he was convinced of their techno-economic feasibility, adequate return on investment and serving a social purpose.

12. His Honesty………. To his work……… Before accepting the position of Dewan of Mysore, he invited all his relatives for dinner. He told them very clearly that he would accept the prestigious office on the condition that none of them would approach him for favours. Such things are unheardof these days.