Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, also known as Sir MV, was a notable Indian engineer, statesman, and scholar. He was born on September 15, 1861, in a small village called Muddenahalli in the Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka, India. Despite being born into a family of farmers, Sir MV's intelligence and determination enabled him to overcome the challenges of poverty and become one of India's most renowned engineers and statesmen.
Sir MV received his early education in Chikkaballapur and later completed his B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Madras. He then went on to study engineering at the College of Science in Pune and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1883. After completing his studies, he started his career as an Assistant Engineer in the Public Works Department (PWD) of Bombay (now Mumbai).
Sir MV's contributions to engineering and public service are numerous and diverse. He is best known for his work on the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam, which was constructed across the Kaveri River in Karnataka. The dam, which was completed in 1932, is one of the largest and most important irrigation projects in South India and has helped to transform the region into a major agricultural hub. Sir MV also played a key role in the construction of the Hyderabad-Godavari Valley Railways and the Bhadravati Iron and Steel Works in Karnataka.
In addition to his contributions to engineering, Sir MV was also an accomplished statesman and served as the Diwan (Chief Minister) of Mysore from 1912 to 1918. During his tenure, he implemented a number of reforms that modernized the state and improved the lives of its citizens. He introduced the idea of "planned development" and established the Mysore Economic Conference, which brought together experts from around the world to discuss issues related to economic development. Sir MV also established the Mysore University and the Mysore Bank, which helped to promote education and financial stability in the state.
Sir MV's contributions to India and the world have been recognized with numerous accolades and awards. He was knighted by the British government in 1915 and was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, in 1955. He was also awarded the prestigious Order of Merit by the British government in 1955.
In conclusion, Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya was a brilliant engineer, statesman, and scholar who made significant contributions to the development of India. His vision and dedication to improving the lives of others continue to inspire people around the world to this day.
