SIR M VISVESVARAYA

-A LEGENDARY FIGURE-

A GREAT ENGINEER,
AN EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATOR,
AN EMINENT STATESMAN,
EDUCATIONIST, ECONOMIST,
SOCIAL WORKER AND ABOVE ALL
A PATRIOT OF THE HIGHEST ORDER

.. THAT IS SIR. M. VISVESVARAYA

BIRTH PLACE

BORN : SEPTEMBER 15, 1861

AT MUDDENAHALLI
NEAR BANGALORE

PLACE OF ETERNAL REST

DEMISE : APRIL 14, 1962

AT THE AGE OF
102 YRS

SIR M.V A MULTI-FACETED

PERSONALITY----THREE DISTINCT DISTINGUISHED FACETS ARE ------ AN EMINENT ENGINEER
----AN EMINENT STATESMAN
----AN EMINENT ECONOMIST
1884 1919
----- THE DISTINGUISHED ENGINEERING
CAREER
1912 1960
----- THE DISTINGUISHED STATESMAN AND
ECONOMIST
(Contd/)

A MULTI FACETED PERSONALITY (Contd)

Dr. BRAHMANANDA, Dr. ATHRE AND OTHER ELITE

ECONOMISTS HAVE EXPRESSED THAT ---SIR MV IS ONE OF THE GREATEST ECONOMIST,
INDIA HAS SEEN

PANDIT NEHRU, C. RAJAGAPALCHARI AND

OTHER ELITE STATESMEN HAVE EXPRESSED
THAT---SIR MV IS ONE OF THE MOST EMINENT
STATESMAN, INDIA HAS SEEN
(Contd/)

A MULTI-FACETED PERSONALITY (Contd)

THE INDIAN ENGINEERING COMMUNITY FEELS

THAT --SIR MV IS ONE OF THE MOST DISTINGUISHED
ENGINEER, INDIA HAS SEEN

THE PUBLIC, IN GENERAL, ARE CONVINCED

THAT ---SIR MV IS A NATIONAL ICON AND A
PATRIOT OF HIGHEST INTEGRITY
IN ESSENCE, HIS IS A MULTI-FACETED
PERSONALITY
(Contd/)

BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. SPEECHES BY SIR M. VISVESVARAYA
(DEWAN OF MYSORE), THE GOVERNMENT
PRESS, BANGALORE, 1917
2. M. VISVESVARAYA, MEMOIRS OF MY
WORKING LIFE, CAXTON PRESS,
BOMBAY, 1951
3. DILDAR HUSSAIN, M.V., AN ENGG
WIZARD OF INDIA
(1861-1962)
INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS,
HYDERABAD, 1966
(Contd/)

BIBLIOGRAPHY (Contd..)

4. SITARAMIAH, M. VISVESVARAYA
PUBLICATIONS DIVISION, GOVT. OF
INDIA, 1971
5. ATHRE, DR. M VISVESVARAYA - A
BIOGRAPHY MYSORE ECONOMIC
REVIEW, BANGALORE, 1983
6. PANDRINATH,MOKSHAGUNDAM
VISVESVARAYA,NATIONAL BOOK
TRUST, 1988
7. JAYAPPA GOWDA, DEWAN SIR
M.VISVESVARAYA HIS ACHIEVEMENTS
(IN KANNADA), SHUBHODHAYA
PUBLISHERS, 1994
(Contd/)

BIBLIOGRAPHY (Contd..)

8. M V IYENGAR,SIR M.VISVESVARAYA A
CENTENARY CONPENDIUM, (IN KANNADA)
MVIJK TRUST, BANGALORE, 1960/2002
9. DILIP SALWI, M. VISVESVARAYA
NATION BUILDER, RUPA & CO., NEW
DELHI, 2003
10. TRIBUTE - BHARATA RATNA
SIR M.V., VISVESVARAYA NATIONAL
MEMORIAL TRUST, BANGALORE, 2003.

EDUCATION

VISVESVARAYA DID HIS EARLY
EDUCATION IN CHIKKABALLAPUR

SUBSEQUENTLY IN 1875 JOINED
WESLEY MISSION HIGH SCHOOL AT
BANGALORE

CONTINUED STUDIES IN CENTRAL
COLLEGE IN BANGALORE, WHEREIN
HE COMPLETED HIS B.A IN 1881
FROM MADRAS UTY SECURING
FIRST CLASS
(Contd/)

EDUCATION

(Contd/.)

JOINED SCIENCE COLLEGE IN POONA

(PRESENTLY GOVT. COLLEGE OF
ENGINEERING) TO STUDY ENGINEERING.

RANKED FIRST IN L.C.E AWARDED BY
THIS COLLEGE, IN 1883
(THIS IS LIKE THE B.E OF TODAY)

WAS AWARDED JAMES BERKELEY
GOLD MEDAL FOR HIS OUTSTANDING
PERFORMANCE

BACKDROP PRIOR TO
COMMENCEMENT OF HIS CAREER
IT WAS, BY AND LARGE, BRITISH RULE
IN THE COUNTRY WITH PROMINENCE
FOR ENGLISH OFFICERS / ENGINEERS

POVERTY, ILLITERACY, LACK OF

INFRASTRUCTURE AND BLEAK
FUTURE WAS THE COMMON HORIZON

(Contd/)

BACKDROP (Contd.)

MAHARAJAS, NIZAMS AND OTHER

RULERS OF PRINCELEY STATES,
BY AND LARGE, WERE INTERESTED
MORE IN SELF- SURVIVAL AND SELFPLEASURES RATHER THAN WELFARE
OF COMMON PEOPLE
THE COUNTRY, BY AND LARGE, WAS
THE MOST BACKWARD IN THE
WORLD SCENARIO, IN ALL SPHERES
(Contd/)

BACKDROP (Contd.)

A WORD ABOUT FAMILY

LIFE..
1861 BORN AS SECOND SON OF
SRI. SRINIVASA SHASTRY
1875 SAD DEMISE OF SRINIVASA
SHASTRY
1882 MARRIED Ms. SARASWATHI,
DAUGHTER OF RAMACHANDRA
SHASTRY OF CHIKKABALLAPUR
1888 SAD DEMISE OF
Mrs. SARASWATHI ALONG WITH
NEW BORN BABY
(Contd/.)

A WORD ABOUT FAMILY LIFE..(Contd)

1889 SECOND MARRIAGE WITH

Ms. SAVITHRI
1890 SAD DEMISE OF Mrs. SAVITHRI
ALONG WITH NEW BORN BABY
1891 THIRD MARRIAGE WITH Ms
BUT SEPARATED FROM HER
SOON AFTER, FOR REASONS
NOT CLEAR
HOWEVER ENSURED TO SEND
MONEY FOR HER LIVELIHOOD
TILL HIS DEATH
SPENT REST OF HIS LIFE ALL ALONE

POSITIONS HELD
1884 -

APPOINTED ASST. ENGINEER,

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT,
BOMBAY PRESIDENCY,
BRITISH GOVT

1899 -

APPOINTED EXE. ENGINEER,

IRRIGATION DEPARTMENT, POONA
BOMBAY PRESIDENCY,
BRITISH GOVT

1909 -

APPOINTED SPECIAL ENGINEER,

HYDERABAD STATE
(Contd/)

POSITIONS (Contd/.)

1909 -

APPOINTED CHIEF ENGINEER,

MYSORE STATE

1912 -

APPOINTED DEWAN OF MYSORE,

MYSORE STATE

1919 -

RETIRED FROM DEWANSHIP

OF MYSORE

SIR. M.V., AS DEWAN OF MYSORE

SIR M. V. --- A FEW MOMENTS

 ONE OF HIS FIRST ACTIONS WHEN
APPOINTED TO THE DEWANSHIP WAS
TO INVITE ALL HIS RELATIVES TO A
DINNER, WHEREIN HE ANNOUNCED
NEWS OF HIS ACCEPTANCE OF THE
POSITION.
BUT HE MADE A SPECIAL REQUEST
TO THEM THAT
NO FAVOURS
SHOULD
BE
ASKED
OF
HIM.
HE ADHERED STRICTLY TO
PRINCIPLE TO THE VERY END.

THIS

(Contd/.)

A FEW MOMENTS (Contd)

 HE TENDERED HIS RESIGNATION TO

THE DEWANSHIP WHEN CERTAIN
ISSUES
PROPOSED
BY
THE
MAHARAJA (HIGHNESS) WERE NOT
ACCEPTABLE TO HIM IN PRINCIPLE.
WHILE
HANDING
OVER
RESIGNATION LETTER TO THE
HIGHNESS, HE DROVE TO THE
PALACE IN OFFICIAL CAR AND
DROVE BACK TO HIS RESIDENCE IN
HIS PRIVATE CAR.
(Contd/.)

HIS FIRST ASSIGNMENT(1884)

HIS FIRST ASSIGNMENT WAS IN
KHANDESH DISTRICT (DHULIA) OF
BOMBAY PRESIDENCY.
AS A PART OF WATER SUPPLY
SCHEME TO DATTARI VILLAGE, HE
HAD TO BRING WATER THROUGH A
SIPHON BELOW THE RIVER PANJIRA.
SIPHON WAS ESSENTIALLY THROUGH
ROCK.
THE BRITISH OFFICER HAD SET THE
TIME TARGET. THE WORK STALLED
FREQUENTLY DUE TO FLOODS IN
PANJIRA.
(Contd/)

HIS INITIAL ASSIGNMENT (Contd.)

BUT THE DEADLINE HAD TO BE MET.

EVEN IN HEAVY RAIN, HE CONTINUED
BORING WORK, BY MOTIVATING STAFF
AND BY WORKING HARD ALONG WITH
THEM.
ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION, HE
HAD TO TAKE OFF HIS COAT AND SWIM
ACROSS THE RIVER TO ASSIST HIS
STAFF.
THE TASK WAS COMPLETED MUCH
BEFORE THE SET TIME TARGET.

SUKKUR WATER SUPPLY

SYSTEM (1895)
WATER SUPPLIED TO THE TOWN (SINDH
PROVINCE) WAS TURBID AND UNFIT FOR
DRINKING. IT WAS THE CAUSE OF
SEVERAL ILLNESS AFFECTING THE TOWN
INHABITANTS
HE DECIDED THAT CLEAN WATER MUST
BE SUPPLIED. SUKKUR TOWN AUTHORITY
WAS NOT FINANCIALLY SOUND ENOUGH
TO ADOPT FILTRATION
(Contd/)

SUKKUR WATER SUPPLY (Contd.)

SIR MV DEVELOPED A NEW SCHEME. HE

DUG A TUBEWELL ON THE BANK OF THE
RIVER AND STRUCK UNDERGROUND
WATER. IT WAS ESSENTIALLY RIVER
WATER FILTERED BY THE INTERVENING
ROCKY MASS. WATER WAS CLEAN
ENOUGH
FURTHER A TUNNEL WAS DRIVEN FROM
THE BOTTOM OF THE WELL FOR SOME
DISTANCE UNDER THE FLOWING RIVER
TO AUGMENT THE CLEAN WATER
THIS TECHNIQUE TODAY IS
COLLECTOR WELL SYSTEM

TERMED

SUMMARY OF SOME IMP. WORKS

OF SIR. M. V.
A. IN MYSORE STATE (PRESENT
KARNATAKA)
 K.R.S DAM AT KRISHNARAJASAGAR
(1909)
 VISVESVARAYA IRON & STEEL
WORKS AT BHADRAVATHI (1918)
 ESTABLISHED
UNIVERSITY
MYSORE AT MYSORE (1916)

OF

(Contd/)

SUMMARY

(Contd/.)

 ESTABLISHED
COLLEGE
OF
ENGINEERING AT BANGALORE PRESENTLY TERMED UVCE (1917)
 ESTABLISHED SRI JAYACHAMARAJA
OCCUPATIONAL INSTITUTE AT
BANGALORE (1929)
 CONSTRUCTED 205 MILES OF
RAILWAY LINES
 INITIATED HYDRO-ELECTRIC
PROJECT TO HARNESS JOG FALLS
(Contd/)

SUMMARY

(Contd/.)

B. WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES IN

DIFFERENT PARTS OF INDIA
AHMEDNAGAR (MAHARASHTRA)
AKKALKOT (MAHARASHTRA)
BANGALORE (KARNATAKA)
BARODA (GUJARAT)
BELGAUM (KARNATAKA)
BHAVNAGAR (GUJARAT)
BHOPAL (MADHYA PRADESH)
BOMBAY (MAHARASHTRA)
DHARWAD (KARNATAKA)
MADGAON (GOA)
(Contd/.)

SUMMARY

(Contd/.)

HYDERABAD (ANDHRA PRADESH)

INDORE (MADHYA PRADESH)
KOLHAPUR (MAHARASHTRA)
MORVI (GUJARAT)
NAGPUR (MAHARASHTRA)
NASIK (MAHARASHTRA)
POONA (MAHARASHTRA)
RAJKOT (GUJARAT)
SANGLI (MAHARASHTRA)
SURAT (GUJARAT)
(Contd/)

SUMMARY

(Contd/.)

C. IN HYDERABAD STATE
 SCHEMES FOR FLOOD PROTECTION
AND DRAINAGE FOR HYDERABAD CITY
 REMODELLING OF HYDERABAD CITY
 ADVISORY SERVICES DURING
CONSTRUCTION OF TUNGABHADRA
DAM

(Contd/.)

SUMMARY

(Contd/.)

D. IN BIHAR AND ORISSA STATES

 SELECTION
OF
SITE
FOR
RAILWAY BRIDGE ACROSS RIVER
GANGA
 ADVISORY
SERVICES
FOR
CONSTRUCTION OF A MAJOR
DAM ACROSS MAHANADI

(Contd/.)

SUMMARY

(Contd/.)

E. WORKS OUTSIDE INDIA

 ADEN WATER SUPPLY AND
DRAINAGE SCHEME
 SUKKUR BARRAGE PROJECT
(PAKISTAN)
SURVEY

F. GENERAL WORKS
 INTRODUCED
IRRIGATION

BLOCK
(1901

SYSTEM
NIRA

OF

CANAL

IRRIGATION SYSTEM)
 DESIGNED
AUTOMATIC

NEW

FLOOD

SYSTEM
SLUICE

OF

GATES

(1901 KHADAKVASLA DAM AT POONA)

TITLES AND HONOURS AWARDED

TO SIR. M. V.
1904 -

HONORARY MEMBERSHIP OF
INSTITUTION OF CIVIL
ENGINEERS, LONDON

1906 -

KAISAR-e-HIND IN RECOGNITION
OF HIS SERVICES BY BRITISH
GOVT.

1911 -

C.I.E (Companion of Indian

Empire) BY BRITISH GOVT.

1915

K.C.I.E (Knight Commander of

Indian Empire) BY BRITISH GOVT.
(Contd/.)

TITLES AND HONOURS

1955 -

(Contd/.)

BHARATH RATNA, THE HIGHEST

DISTINCTION IN THE
COUNTRY, GOVT. OF INDIA

THE BHARATH RATNA DECORUM

(Contd/.)

Titles and Honours

(Contd/.)

1958 -

DURGA PRASAD KHAITAN

MEMORIAL GOLD MEDAL, THE
ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY

1959 -

FELLOWSHIP OF THE INDIAN

INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE,
BANGALORE

SIR. M. V., RECEIVING THE BHARATH RATNA AT

RASHTRAPATI BHAVAN, NEW DELHI
ON SEPTEMBER 7, 1955

HONORARY DEGREES AWARDED

TO SIR. M. V.
D.Sc. - UNIVERSITY OF ALLAHABAD (1944)
CALCUTTA (1921)
JADHAVPUR (1958)
PATNA (1944)
L.LD - UNIVERSITY OF BOMBAY (1931)
MYSORE (1948)

D.Litt - UNIVERSITY OF BENARES (1937)

ANDHRA (1953)

ADEN WATER WORKS (1906)

ONE
OF
THE
SIGNIFICANT
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF SIR M.V. WAS THE
PROJECT AT ADEN
THIS WAS IN 1906. ADEN WAS BEING
ADMINISTERED BY BOMBAY PRESIDENCY
SEVERAL
HARDSHIPS
WERE
BEING
EXPERIENCED BY THE PUBLIC AT ADEN
DUE TO PAUCITY OF DRINKING WATER
AND DUE TO PAUCITY OF CLEANLINESS IN
THE CITY. THE BRITISH GOVT. DIRECTED
GOVT. OF INDIA TO LOOK INTO THIS
PROBLEM.
(Contd/.)

ADEN WATER WORKS (Contd)

ALTHOUGH THERE WERE SEVERAL

SENIOR
BRITISH
ENGINEERS,
THE
RESPONSIBILITY OF TACKLING THIS
PROBLEM WAS ENTRUSTED TO
SIR
M.V., WHICH HE GLADLY TOOK UP
ADEN IS SURROUNDED BY HILLOCKS
ABOUT 60 MILES AWAY. THE SCANTY
RAIN FALL IN THE SMALL AREA
BETWEEN THE HILLOCKS AND THE
TOWN GETS INTO THE SANDY DESERT. A
SMALL STREAM IN THE BEGINNING
VANISHES AFTER A DISTANCE
(Contd/.)

ADEN WATER WORKS (Contd)

SIR
M.V.
STUDIED
THE
ENTIRE
GEOGRAPHY AND IDENTIFIED THAT A
RESERVOIR OF WATER EXISTED AT A
CONSIDERABLE DEPTH AT A LOCATION,
ABOUT 18 MILES AWAY FROM ADEN
SIR M.V.S
SCHEME COMPRISED OF
PROVIDING DEEP BORE WELLS AT THIS
LOCATION AND PUMPING OUT CLEAR
WATER FOR DRINKING. THE SCHEME
SUCCESSFULLY WORKED. FURTHER,
SIR M.V. DESIGNED SURFACE AND
UNDERGROUND DRAINAGE SCHEMES
FOR THE TOWN
(Contd/.)

ADEN WATER WORKS (Contd)

THE CITY STILL REMEMBERS THE

GREAT ENGINEER, WHO CAME TO THEIR
RESCUE.
THE BRITISH GOVT. IN
RECOGNITION
OF
HIS
SERVICES
AWARDED HIM THE TITLE KAISER-EHIND

K. R. S. DAM (1909)
SIR MVS MAJOR VENTURE AS CHIEF
ENGINEER IN MYSORE STATE WAS THE
CAUVERY PROJECT
FOR
IRRIGATION
AND POWER GENERATION.
THE PROJECT INVOLVED CONSTRUCTION
OF A 130 FT HIGH MASONRY DAM.
CAPABLE OF HOLDING 48,000 MILLION
CUBIC FEET OF WATER
IT WAS INTENDED TO IRRIGATE 1,50,000
ACRES OF LAND AND GENERATE 80,000HP
POWER; ESTIMATED TO COST RS.91Lacs
(Contd/.)

K. R. S. DAM (Contd.)

COMPLETED IN 1931, THE MASONRY

DAM TODAY STANDS 134 FT. HIGH AND
111 FT. WIDE. OF ITS 161 SLUICE
GATES,

48

ARE

AUTOMATIC

TYPE

DESIGNED AND PATENTED BY SIR M.V.

(Contd/.)

K. R. S. DAM (Contd.)

OPERATING ON POWER, THE GATES

AUTOMATICALLY CLOSE WHEN WATER
LEVEL IS BELOW 124 FEET. WHEN THE
LEVEL OF LAKE RISES ABOVE, THE
GATES AUTOMATICALLY RISE, ALLOWING
EXCESS WATER TO FLOW OUT

IN ITS CONSTRUCTION. SURKHI MORTAR

WAS USED, INSTEAD OF CEMENT MORTAR

(Contd/.)

K. R. S. DAM (Contd.)

THE PROJECT IS TERMED FIRST MULTIPURPOSE RIVER VALLEY PROJECT IN

INDIA.

SERVICES TO HYDERABAD
STATE (1909- )
SOON AFTER HE RETIRED FROM BOMBAY
SERVICES (i.e. 1908), HE TOOK UP AN
EXTENSIVE TOUR ABROAD
DURING THIS PERIOD, DUE TO VERY
HEAVY
RAINS,
THERE
WERE
UNPRECEDENTED FLOODS IN MUSI RIVER,
DEVASTATING
PARTS OF HYDERABAD.
THE HAVOC WAS ESSENTIALLY DUE TO 12
INCHES OF RAIN ON A SINGLE DAY IN THE
CATCHMENT AREA OF MUSI RIVER
(Contd/.)

SERVICES TO HYDERABAD STATE (Contd.)

SIR M.V. WAS CALLED BY THE NIZAM OF

HYDERABAD
TO
COME
OVER
IMMEDIATELY AND TO PROVIDE RELIEF
HE
CUT
SHORT
HIS
TOUR
AND
RETURNED ON THREE CONDITIONS
1. HE SHOULD
CHARGE,

BE

GIVEN

INDEPENDENT

2. HE SHOULD BE FREE TO APPOINT HIS

STAFF, AND
3. HIS SALARY SHOULD BE AT PAR WITH THE
SENIORMOST ENGLISH ENGINEER
(Contd/.)

SERVICES TO HYDERABAD CITY (Contd.)

HE

COULD

ASCERTAIN

THAT

THE

PROBLEM WAS NOT JUST BY MUSI RIVER,

BUT BY THE TWIN RIVERS MUSI (WHICH
FLOWS THROUGH HYDERABAD CITY) AND
IYASI (WHICH FLOWS AT THE PERIPHERY
OF THE CITY)

HE INVESTIGATED IN DEPTH THE ENTIRE

STRETCH OF TWO RIVERS FROM BIRTH
TO THEIR POINTS OF MERGER
(Contd/.)

SERVICES TO HYDERABAD CITY (Contd.)

HE RECOMMENDED 2 DAMS - THE FIRST

ACROSS

MUSI

AT

MILES

FROM

HYDERABAD AND THE SECOND ACROSS

IYASI 6 MILES AWAY

FURTHER,

HE

RECOMMENDED

RISING

THE BUND OF MUSI RIVER ON EITHER

SIDE

INSIDE

THE

CITY

AND

BEAUTIFICATION OF THE AREA

(Contd/.)

SERVICES TO HYDERABAD CITY (Contd.)

THE CONSTRUCTION OF DAMS WERE

TAKEN IN 1913. AFTER RETIREMENT
FROM DEWANSHIP OF MYSORE, HE
HELPED
HYDERABAD
STATE
COMPLETING
SUCCESSFULLY
THE
PROJECTS.
THESE
ARE
THE
WELKNOWN
HIMAYATH
SAGAR
&
USMAN SAGAR OF HYDERABAD CITY
HE WAS REINVITED BY NIZAM DURING
1922 AND 1930 FOR IMPROVEMENT OF
HYDERABAD CITY

DAM ACROSS MAHANADI (1937)

ORISSAS MAHANADI DELTA WAS A LAND
OF FLOODS, CAUSING MISERY YEAR AFTER
YEAR
IN 1927-28, A COMMITTEE OF 2 ENGINEERS
CONSTITUTED BY THE GOVT. HAD OPINED
THAT IT IS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO
CONTROL FLOODS
IN 1937, ORISSA SUFFERED HEAVILY.
GANDHIJI VISITED THE AREA TO SEE FIST
HAND THE PLIGHT OF PEOPLE. HE
SUGGESTED TO THE CHIEF MINISTER OF
ORISSA PROVINCE, Mr. VISWANATHA DAS TO
INVITE VISVESVARAYA
(Contd/.)

MAHANADI

DAM ACROSS MAHANADI (Contd)

SIR M.V. VISITED THE AFFECTED AREAS,

EXAMINED SEVERAL POSSIBILITIES, AND
STUDIED THE AVAILABLE FACTS AND
FIGURES
THE
FIRST
POSSIBILITY
WAS
TO
CONSTRUCT
DAMS
ACROSS
THREE
IMPORTANT TRIBUTARIES OF MAHANADI TO
REGULATE FLOODS
SECOND POSSIBILITY WAS TO BUILD A
MAJOR DAM ACROSS MAHANADI AT HIGHER
REACHES
(Contd/.)

DAM ACROSS MAHANADI (Contd)

HE
RECOMMENDED
THE
SECOND
ALTERNATIVE TO CONTROL FLOODS, TO
IRRIGATE VAST STRETCHES AND TO
GENERATE POWER
SOON AFTER INDEPENDENCE, HIRAKUD
WAS
REALISED
BASED
ON
HIS
RECOMMENDATIONS

THE GANGA BRIDGE IN

BIHAR (1951)
IN 1907, BIHAR PROVINCE REALISED NEED
FOR A RAILWAY BRIDGE NEAR PATNA. BUT
ONLY IN 1945, A DECISION WAS TAKEN BY
THE RAILWAY BOARD TO BUILD THE
BRIDGE AT MOKAMEH NEAR PATNA. BUT
BRIDGE
CONSTRUCTION
STOPPED
ON
ACCOUNT OF DIFFERENCES OF OPINION
AMONGST THE AUTHORITIES IN BIHAR,
BENGAL AND ASSAM PROVINCES
THE BENGAL PROVINCE SUGGESTED THE
BRIDGE AT FARAKKA OR RAJMAHAL. THE
ASSAM PROVINCE SUGGESTED MANIHARI
LOCATION, WHEREAS, BIHAR PROVINCE
STUCK TO MOKAMEH
(Contd/.)

THE GANGA BRIDGE IN BIHAR (Contd)

IN 1951, THE THEN NEHRU GOVERNMENT

LOOKED
AROUND
FOR
AN
EMINENT
ENGINEER, UNBIASED AND BEYOND PULLS
AND PRESSURES TO LOOK INTO THIS
PROBLEM
SIR M.V. WAS INVITED FOR THIS TASK BY
THE
NEHRU
GOVERNMENT.
HE
WAS
92 YEARS AT THAT TIME
THE OLD MAN EXAMINED THE ENTIRE
STRETCH OF GANGA RIVER FROM PATNA TO
FARAKKA THROUGH BOATS, HELICOPTER
AND RAILWAY
(Contd/.)

THE GANGA BRIDGE IN BIHAR (Contd)

HE HELD DISCUSSIONS WITH

INDUSTRIALISTS
AND
WITH
CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

LEADING
VARIOUS

FURTHER, HE HELD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE

CHIEF OF ARMY GENERAL THIMMAIAH,AND
STUDIED STATISTICAL FIGURES / ECONOMIC
VIABILITIES
FINALLY, HE RECOMMENDED MOKAMEH AS
THE RIGHT PLACE
IN 1953 WORK COMMENCED AND WAS
COMPLETED IN 1959, COSTING ABOUT 15
CRORES

AN INTERESTING FACT FINDING

REPORT (1929)
IT WAS DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF
LLOYD
BARRAGE
ACROSS
SINDH
RIVER. THAT TIME IT WAS A GREAT
PROJECT. THE WORK WAS BEING
CARRIED OUT BY BRITISH ENGINEERING
CONCERNS
DURING THE CONSTRUCTION, THERE
WAS A HUE & CRY BY THE PUBLIC THAT
THERE
WAS
LARGE
SCALE
MISAPPROPRIATION OF FUNDS AND THE
QUALITY OF THE CONSTRUCTION WAS
SUSPECT
FURTHER, THERE WAS INORDINATE
DELAY IN THE CONSTRUCTION
(Contd/.)

AN INTERESTING REPORT (Contd)

THE GOVT. OF BOMBAY PRESIDENCY

APPOINTED A TWO-MEN COMMISSION TO
ENQUIRE ABOUT THE DEEDS OF THE
BRITISH CONCERNS
THE MEMBERS WERE SIR M.V. AND THE
THEN
CHIEF
ENGINEER
FROM
HYDERABAD STATE NAWAB ALI NAWAJ
JENG. FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS, SIR M.V.
STUDIED EVERY LITTLE BIT OF DETAILS
AND REPORTED THAT --a.THE QUALITY OF CONSTRUCTION WAS
SATISFACTORY
(Contd/.)

AN INTERESTING REPORT (Contd)

b. THERE WAS NO TRUTH IN THE RUMOURS

THAT THERE IS MISAPPROPRIATION OF
FUNDS
c. THE INORDINATE DELAY WAS DUE TO
THE COMPLEXITIES IN THE PROJECT
AND IMPROPER PLANNING; AND
d. THE PROJECT WAS ORIGINALLY UNDERESTIMATED, AND WAS NOT
REALISTIC

IN ESSENCE, SIR M.V.S REPORT CLEARED ALL

CONCERNED, INCLUDING THE THEN GOVERNOR
OF BOMBAY PRESIDENCY AND VICEROY OF INDIA.

BOMBAY BACK BAY ENQUIRY

COMMITTEE (1926)
IN 1926, HE WAS APPOINTED A MEMBER
OF THE BACK BAY ENQUIRY COMMITTEE,
TO ENQUIRE INTO THE HISTORY OF
INCEPTION AND OPERATION OF THE
BACK BAY RECLAMATION SCHEME IN
BOMBAY
THERE WAS MUCH PUBLIC AGITATION AT
THAT TIME ABOUT THE RECLAMATION
AND SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS AGAINST
THE GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING THE
BRITISH GOVERNOR OF BOMBAY
PRESIDENCY
(Contd/.)

BOMBAY BACK BAY ENQUIRY (Contd)

BACK BAY

BOMBAY BACK BAY ENQUIRY (Contd)

THE COMMITTEE STUDIED ALL FACTS

AND FIGURES IN DETAIL, AND
RECOMMENDED
i)

THE ABANDONMENT OF FURTHER

RECLAMATION
ii) CURTAILMENT OF SOME PROJECTED
WORKS AND
iii) THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE AREAS
ALREADY RECLAIMED
THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT COME OUT
IN SHINING COLOURS

A TECHNICAL MEDIATION (1947)

TUNGA BHADRA DAM NEAR HOSPET IN
BELLARY DISTRICT WAS A MULTI-STATE
PROJECT
BEYOND THE DAM, THE RIVER WAS THE
DIVIDING LINE BETWEEN HYDERABAD
STATE AND MADRAS PRESIDENCY. THE
WORK WAS TAKEN UP DURING 50s
PRIOR TO CONSTRUCTION, A DISPUTE
AROSE BETWEEN THE TWO STATES.
HYDERABAD STATE WANTED SURKHI TO BE
THE BINDING MEDIUM IN THE MASONRY
DAM. WHEREAS, MADRAS PRESIDENCY
INSISTED ON CEMENT MORTAR
THE CONSTRUCTION STALLED
(Contd/.)

A TECHNICAL MEDIATION (Contd.)

THE TWO STATES AGREED TO ABIDE BY

THE OPINION OF SIR M.V.
ALTHOUGH SIR M.V. WAS A STAUNCH
SUPPORTER OF SURKHI MORTAR, HE
HAD OPEN MIND. HE STUDIED THE
RESEARCH WORK AND THE
EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAMMES IN THIS
AREA TO GIVE HIS FINAL VERDICT,
WHICH WAS IMPLICITLY FOLLOWED
FURTHER
THE VERDICT WAS . THE BINDING
MEDIUM SHOULD BE COMPOSITE
MORTAR COMPRISING OF - 1 PART OF
SURKHI MORTAR : 4 PARTS OF
CEMENT MORTAR

AUTOMATIC FLOOD
GATES (1903)
AUTOMATIC FLOOD GATES WERE FOR
THE FIRST TIME DEVELOPED BY SIR
M.V. THESE WERE FIRST INSTALLED AT
KHADAKVASALA NEAR POONA IN 1903
BASED ON THE SUCCESS OF THIS, IT
WAS ADOPTED IN TIGARA DAM IN
GWALIOR,
FOLLOWED
BY
KRISHNARAJASAGAR DAM IN MYSORE
A PATENT FOR THIS WAS TAKEN BY
SIR. M. V. BUT HE NEVER COLLECTED
ANY ROYALTY FROM ANYBODY FOR THIS
(Contd/.)

AUTOMATIC
FLOOD GATE

PATENT-AGREEMENT FOR THE

SLUICE GATES

FOREIGN TOURS OF SIR. M. V.

SIR. M. V., MADE EXTENSIVE TOURS
ABROAD PARTICULARLY TO AMERICA,
EUROPE AND JAPAN
HE UNDERTOOK THESE TOURS TO SEE
THE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF PEOPLE
IN THOSE COUNTRIES, TO COLLECT DATA
ABOUT INDUSTRIES AND TO STUDY CIVIL
ENGINEERING PROJECTS, ESPECIALLY
IRRIGATION PROJECTS
NATION WAS IMMENSELY BENEFITED BY THE TOURS

(Contd/.)

FOREIGN TOURS (Contd/.)

THE DIFFERENT TOURS WERE :1. 1898 -

VISITED JAPAN WHILE IN BOMBAY

ENGINEERING
SERVICES,
TO
AQUAINT HIMSELF ABOUT THE
TECHNOLOGICAL
ADVANCES
THERE

2. 1908 -

AFTER
RETIREMENT
FROM
BOMBAY SERVICE -DURING THIS TOUR HE EXAMINED
ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENTS IN
WATER
SUPPLY,
DRAINAGE
AND
GENERAL
ENGINEERING
WORKS IN EUROPE, AMERICA AND
CANADA
(Contd/.)

FOREIGN TOURS (Contd/.)

3. 1919

AFTER HIS RETIREMENT AS

DIWAN OF MYSORE, HE JOINED
A GROUP OF INDUSTRIALISTS
OF BOMBAY HEADED BY
Mr. VITTALDAS D THACKERSAY
AND Mr. RUBRAL KHAITHAN
ON A TOUR OF JAPAN, AMERICA
CANADA AND BRITAIN

(Contd/.)

FOREIGN TOURS (Contd/.)

4. 1926

HE TOURED EUROPE AND AMERICA

TO STUDY STEEL MANUFACTURE

5. 1935

VISITED EUROPE AND AMERICA

TO STUDY AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY

6. 1946

HE LED A DELEGATION OF
MEMBERS OF INDIAN
MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION TO
BRITAIN, AMERICA AND CANADA.
VISITED TEXTILE INDUSTRIES,
AIRCRAFT FACTORIES AND
AUTOMOBILE UNITS.
THE TOURS SERVED THEIR PURPOSE

SIR. M. V. IN BRITAIN

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE
INDUSTRIAL GROWTH OF INDIA
HIS SLOGAN WAS INDUSTRIALIZE OR
PERISH. HIS CONTRIBUTIONS WERE
SIGNIFICANT FOR INDUSTRIAL
GROWTH OF THE COUNTRY, WHICH AT
THAT TIME WAS MOST BACKWARD.
THE THREE THAT BENEFITED BY HIS
EFFORTS ARE 1.

STEEL MANUFACTURING
INDUSTRY

2.

AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY; AND

3.

AIRCRAFT INDUSTRY.

THE MYSORE IRON & STEEL

WORKS (BHADRAVATHI) 1918
THE PLANT WAS THE RESULT OF FAR
SIGHTED VISION OF SIR M.V.
COAL REQUIRED FOR CONVERTING ORE
TO IRON ON A LARGE SCALE WAS NOT
AVAILABLE NEAR BY. TRANSPORTING
COAL FROM LONG DISTANCES WAS
UNECONOMICAL.
A SCHEME WAS PREPARED TO
TRANSPORT ORE FROM BABABUDANGIRI
HILLS BY A COMBINATION OF ROPEWAY
AND TRAMWAY. CHARCOAL INSTEAD OF
COAL BECAME THE FUEL MEDIUM FOR
MELTING IRON ORE
(Contd/)

THE MYSORE IRON & STEEL WORKS (Contd..)

BECAME THE FIRST PLANT IN ASIA TO

UNDERTAKE MANUFACTURE OF PIG
IRON USING CHARCOAL
BECAME THE FIRST PLANT IN INDIA TO
EXPORT PIG IRON TO EAST COAST
DISTRICTS OF AMERICA
BECAME THE FIRST PLANT IN INDIA TO
GENERATE POWER FROM WASTE GASES
BECAME THE FIRST PLANT IN INDIA TO
UTILISE WASTE CHARCOAL FINES TO
PRODUCE CALCIUM CARBIDE
SUBSEQUENTLY IN 1925, CAST IRON
PIPES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH THE
HELP OF A GERMAN FIRM

AUTOMOBILES
MANUFACTURING UNIT (1942)
SIR M.V WAS KEEN IN ESTABLISHING A
MANUFACTURING UNIT IN INDIA
THROUGH HIS FOREIGN TOURS, HE
ESTABLISHED RAPPORT WITH LEADING
MANUFACTURERS AROUND THE WORLD
SUCH
AS
GENERAL
MOTORS
CORPORATION AND OTHERS
HIS NEGOTIATIONS WITH CHRYSLER
COMPANY FOR ESTABLISHING THE
UNIT IN MYSORE, FELL THROUGH DUE
TO BAN ON NEW MANUFACTURING
UNITS IN PRINCELY STATES BY THE
BRITISH GOVERNMENT

AUTOMOBILES MANUFACTURING UNIT (Contd)

UNDETERRED,
HE
CONVINCED
HIS
FRIENDS
V.D.THACKERSAY, R. KHAITAN,
M.KHATAUV AND WALCHAND HIRACHAND,
TO ESTABLISH A UNIT AT LEAST IN BOMBAY
PRESIDENCY.
WALCHAND
HIRACHAND
EVENTUALLY
GOT
INTERESTED
AND
PREMIER
THE
FIRST
AUTOMOBILE
COMPANY,
PLANT IN INDIA, WAS ESTABLISHED ON
THE OUTSKIRTS OF BOMBAY IN 1942.
THIS
WAS
FOLLOWED
BY
ESTABLISHMENT
OF
HINDUSTAN
AIRCRAFTS AT BANGALORE IN 1946 BY
WALCHAND HIRACHAND.
(Contd/)

SIR M.V IN POLITICAL

ARENA..
HE TOOK PART IN TWO POLITICAL
CONFERENCES
1. 1922 THE BOMBAY ALL PARTIES
POLITICAL CONFERENCE,
(A ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE
CHAIRED BY HIM TO DISCUSS AND
SETTLE THE QUESTIONS AGITATING
THE INDIAN PUBLIC)
2. 1929 THE SOUTH INDIA STATES
PEOPLES CONFRENCE
(A CONFERENCE CHAIRED BY HIM TO
DISCUSS CONSTITUTINAL REFORMS)
(Contd/.)

SIR M.V IN POLITICAL ARENA..(Contd)

THE SECETARY OF STATE FOR

INDIA LORD MONTAGUE OFFERED
SIR M.V A SEAT IN HIS COUNCIL AT
LONDON. THIS WAS POLITELY
DECLINED BY SIR M.V

SIR M.V NEVER ENTERED

POLITICAL ARENA THEREAFTER

CHAIRMANSHIPS AND
MEMBERSHIPS
1. 1921 - CHAIRMAN, BOMBAY TECH
AND INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION
COMMITTEE
2. 1922 - MEMBER, NEW CAPITAL
(NEW DELHI) ENQUIRY
COMMITTEE OF GOVT. OF
INDIA
3. 1923 - CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF
-29 MANAGEMENT, BHADRAVATHI
IRON & STEEL WORKS
4. 1925 - CHAIRMAN, INDIAN
ECONOMIC ENQUIRY
COMMITTEE
(Contd/.)

CHAIRMANSHIPS (Contd)

5. 1926 - MEMBER, KARACHI

MUNICIPAL FINANCE
ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
6. 1927 - DIRECTOR, BOARD OF
-55 DIRECTORS, TATA IRON &
STEEL COMPANY
7. 1929 MEMBER, BANGALORE POLITICAL
DISTURBANCES ENQUIRY
COMMITTEE
8. 1930 - CHAIRMAN, BOMBAY
UNIVERSITY COMMITTEE FOR
PROMOTING CHEMICAL
INDUSTRIES

(Contd/.)

CHAIRMANSHIPS (Contd)

9. 1937 - CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE ON

IRRIGATION POLICY BY
BOMBAY PRESIDENCY GOVT.
10. 1938 - CHAIRMAN, COURT OF
-47 THE INDIAN INSTITUTE
OF SCIENCE, BANGALORE
11. 1941 - PRESIDENT, ALL INDIA
-54 MANUFACTURERS
ASSOCIATION

A FEW SAYINGS OF SIR M V

1. IF YOUR BUSINESS IS ONLY TO
SWEEP A

CROSSING, REMEMBER -

IT IS YOUR DUTY TO MAKE THAT

CROSSING THE BEST SWEPT IN
THE WORLD

2. SUCCESS IN LIFE DEPENDS ON

ACTION, i.e, ON WHAT YOU DO, AND
NOT ON WHAT YOU FEEL OR
THINK
(Contd/.)

A FEW SAYINGS (Contd/.)

3. THE PRICE OF SUCCESS IS

HARDWORK
4. IT IS BETTER TO SERVE LIKE STEEL
THAN RUST AND WITHER AWAY LIKE
IRON
5. TAKE CARE OF THE PIECES WELL.
THE WHOLE WILL TAKE CARE OF
ITSELF
6. NATURE NEVER EXCUSES LAPSES
(Contd/.)

A FEW SAYINGS (Contd/.)

7. COURAGE, CONVICTION AND

CONFIDENCE- SHOULD BE THE
HALLMARKS
8. DARE TO DO RIGHT, FEAR TO DO
WRONG
9. NEVER TRY TO APPEAR WHAT YOU ARE
NOT
10. SACRIFICE MONEY RATHER THAN
PRINCIPLES
11. DONT RECKON ON CHANCES, BUT
WORK HARD
.AND MANY OTHERS

BOOKS AUTHORED BY SIR. M. V.

1920 - RECONSTRUCTING INDIA,
PUBLISHED BY P S KING & SON Ltd.,
LONDON
1932 - UNEMPLOYMENT IN INDIA .. ITS
CAUSES AND CURE, PUBLISHED BY
THE BANGALORE PRESS,
BANGALORE
1934 -

PLANNED ECONOMY FOR INDIA,

PUBLISHED BY THE BANGALORE
PRESS,BANGALORE

1937 -

NATION BUILDING A FIVE YEAR

PLAN FOR THE PROVINCES,
PUBLISHED BY THE BANGALORE
PRESS, BANGALORE
(Contd/)

BOOKS AUTHORED (Contd..)

1939-

DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT SCHEME

ECONOMIC PROGRESS BY FORCED
MARCHES, PUBLISHED BY THE
BANGALORE PRESS, BANGALORE

1943 - PROSPERITY THROUGH INDUSTRY,

PUBLISHED BY THE ALL INDIA
MANUFACTURERS ORGANIZATION,
BOMBAY

1951 -

MEMOIRS OF MY WORKING LIFE,

PUBLISHED BY CAXTON PRESS,
BOMBAY

ABOUT THE GREAT MAN

SRI VISVESVARAYA IS A MAN OF
INCORRUPTIBLE INTEGRITY AND A
MODEL OF PURITY OF CHARACTER
HIS SIMPLICITY AND SENSE OF CORRECT
BEHAVIOUR ARE EXTRAORDINARY,
RISING SOMETIMES TO AN
UNBELIEVABLE DEGREE
A PURE SOUL AND A GREAT HEART; AND
A PASSIONATELY PATRIOTIC CITIZEN OF
INDIA .
C. RAJAGOPALACHARI
(in 1960)

A WORD ABOUT SIR M V

SIR M VISVESVARAYA WAS PERHAPS
THE FIRST TECHNOCRAT TO BECOME A
NATIONAL ICON
WHAT THE NARAYANAMURTHYS AND
THE PREMJIS OF THE IT WORLD ARE
TALKING TODAY, SIR M.V. HAD DINNED
IN THE EARS OF THEN IMPERVIOUS
LEADERS,
INDIAN
AND
BRITISH
NEEDLESS TO SAY, SIR. M.V. WOULD
HAVE USHERED IN THE IT ERA HAD THE
TECHNOLOGY BEEN DEVELOPED IN HIS
TIME
(Contd/)

A WORD ABOUT SIR MV (Contd)

HIS
PERCEPTIONS
OF
MODERN
TECHNOLOGY, HIS EMPHASIS ON MERIT IN
EVERY WALK OF LIFE, THE HIGHEST
FORM
OF
INTEGRITY,
SHUNNING
NEPOTISM AND FAVOURITISM, EFFICIENCY
IN ADMINISTRATION AND OBSERVANCE OF
DISCIPLINE IN LIFE, ARE MORE RELEVANT
TODAY THAN ANY TIME BEFORE
THE CHIEF OF BUREAU
THE HINDU - SEPTEMBER 2003
(IN VISVESVARAYA MEMORIAL
TRUST PUBLICATION TRIBUTE)

1955

1960
HISTORIC MEETS

1960
HISTORIC MEETS

IN CONCLUSION


SIR M.V IS INDEED A LEGENDARY

FIGURE IN THE INDIAN HISTORY

HIS CREATIVITY WAS NOT CONFINED

TO
JUST
HIS
PROFESSIONAL
DISCIPLINE

HIS THOUGHTS AND INNOVATIONS

WERE FAR AHEAD OF HIS TIME

HIS THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS WERE

ALWAYS OUT OF HIS CONCERN FOR
THE MASSES

HE WAS THE
EMBODIMENT
DISCIPLINE AND HARD WORK

OF

(Contd/)

IN CONCLUSION (CONTD)

THIS IN BRIEF IS A GLIMPSE OF

THE LEGENDARY FIGURE..
A GREAT ENGINEER
AN EMINENT STATESMAN
AN ECONOMIST PAR EXCELLENCE
AND ABOVE ALL
A PATRIOT OF THE HIGHEST ORDER

******