Sir M Visvesvaraya is remembered
even after 50 years of his passing away as an Engineer, Statesman, Administrator,
Educationist and most importantly as a visionary. The engineering fraternity
owes it to him for his brilliant innovations and designs particularly in the
area of water management. His Birthday,
15th September, is celebrated as Engineer's day in India in his memory.
Towering over his numerous achievements
are his indomitable virtues. Sir MV, as he is fondly called, chose to write his
autobiography touching only upon his working life. 'Memoirs of my working life' was published in
1951 when he was 91 years old (Sir MV lived till 102). It is a stellar record of the principled life
he led.
During the first three decades of
his working life from 1882, he built a formidable reputation for himself as an
Engineer par excellence. He was a highly sought after man by both Britishers
and the Indian royalty to undertake engineering projects in water management. In
1909, he was invited to become the Chief Engineer of the princely state of
Mysuru. He accepted it after he was
promised that it would allow him to éncourage industries and technical
education' in the state. In 1912, he was offered the post of Dewan of Mysuru
(Head of the administration, reporting to the King). Though initially reluctant about taking up an
administrative role, he says took it up because it provided him the scope to do
the kind of work he longed to do.
Sir MV was a punctilious man, in
work and manners and appearance. He was always impeccably dressed. His work
ethics were exemplary. He is said to have kept two sets of candles and pens and
would switch from one to the other, at the end of his working hours when he
started his personal work. A museum
established at his home town Muddenahalli near Bangalore shows his meticulously
planned daily schedule entered in his diary, at various times in his life,
including when he was 90. At a gathering in Mumbai when asked the secret behind
his dynamism, he is said to have replied that 'whenever old age came calling
him, he got the reply that Sir M V was out on work'.
Sir MV is known for his integrity
and candour. When he could not agree
with the idea of a proposed committee on promoting opportunities for certain
communities, he decided to quit his post as Dewan and came to an amicable
arrangement with the King to ensure a smooth hand over. He admired the west, particularly America for
its industriousness. He lamented that Indians lacked ambition and hustle.
His political stand was to put
development at the top of the agenda. His exchanges with Mahatma Gandhi make
for interesting reading. In reply to Gandhiji's statement that perhaps they
held diametrically opposite views on development and poverty elimination, Sir
MV is said to have quoted a powerful
analogy to drive home the importance of heavy industry for the country's
development: "If the journey of 100 miles has to be accomplished and there
is a choice before you of a bullock card or a motor car - you certainly would
not choose a bullock cart!".
Sir MV was a conscientious
man. Though he had strong views on many
issues, he always took a professional stand to ensure smooth performance of his
duties. For him, Duty was God and Supreme and it defined him and his life. He
deeply cared for the country and its development and he strongly believed that education
and technology are the key drivers. He had
the foresight to focus on a sound educational system and a solid technology
based Industrial eco system to build a strong foundation for the country's
growth.
In the current times, with
technology superceding everything, his belief that The way to build a better nation is to build better individuals calls
for introspection! That technology is an enabler or tool at the best, and it is
up to the individuals' to collectively chart a nation's growth is a lesson
worth remembering on this visionary's Birthday.
