M. Visvesvaraya
Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, fondly called Sir MV, was a visionary engineer, scholar, and statesman whose work shaped modern India’s infrastructure and industrial development. Born in 1861 in Karnataka, he began his engineering career in the Bombay Public Works Department and soon demonstrated his brilliance by inventing the patented automatic weir water floodgates, first installed in 1903 at Khadakvasla Dam near Pune. He pioneered the block irrigation system and designed extensive irrigation and flood control projects across India, including the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam in Mysore, which transformed vast arid lands into fertile and productive fields. As the Dewan of Mysore (1912–1918), Visvesvaraya spearheaded industrialization efforts by establishing major public sector industries, colleges, and banks, including the University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering and the State Bank of Mysore. An ardent advocate of planned economic development, he authored influential books and promoted education and technological innovation. His enduring legacy continues to inspire engineers worldwide, and India commemorates his birthday on September 15 every year as Engineer’s Day to honor his unmatched contribution to nation-building.