Five lessons from Sir M Visvesvaraya’s exemplary life
Can budding engineers draw inspiration from Sir M Visvesvaraya, the polymath engineer-statesman of Karnataka, whose exemplary accomplishments as a visionary statesman endure to this day?
What can engineer-aspirants learn from the life and work of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya? For the uninitiated, Sir MV, as he is fondly known to many, was one of the champions of industrialising modern India. The lessons drawn on his life go beyond his brilliance in civil engineering to his integrity and principles, his lifelong love for learning, and his exceptional humility and compassion for humanity.
Steadfast discipline
The stories about Sir M Visvesvaraya’s punctuality are legendary and numerous. He would not tolerate even a minute's delay. When a fellow-engineer once arrived a few minutes late for a meeting, Visvesvaraya reprimanded him and made it clear that punctuality was paramount. This emphasis on discipline was a cornerstone of his professional ethic, setting a high standard for those who worked with him.
On another occasion, when invited to a meeting, true to his nature he arrived exactly on time. His host, however, was late. Sir MV waited for a few minutes and then left, leaving a note that read:
"A minute wasted is a minute lost forever."
Watch our YouTube Short video in Kannada (with English subtitles), in which the hosts recount an anecdote about Sir MV’s punctuality.
Dedication to work
During the construction of the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam in the princely state of Mysore (in modern-day Mandya district of Karnataka), Visvesvaraya would personally inspect the worksite and the progress being made. Despite the challenging conditions, he would walk miles along the dam's length to ensure everything was being done to his exacting standards. His hands-on approach and attention to detail greatly contributed to the project's success.
Equally legendary was his attention to detail and cost-consciousness, without cutting corners on innovation or standards. He advised that the dam be constructed not with expensive cement but with a low-cost mortar called surkhi, made from crushed burnt bricks, which gains strength if left immersed in water.
He did not compromise on his principles even in his old age. He was 90 when he inspected the site of the proposed Mokama Bridge over the Ganga River in Bihar. Eyewitnesses reported that Sir MV climbed to the top of a hill to survey the site, before returning to his drawing board to submit multiple drawings.
Speaking truth to power
Initially reluctant to join politics, Visvesvaraya eventually accepted the position of Diwan of Mysore after much persuasion. His tenure as Diwan was marked by significant industrial and social reforms. He implemented numerous developmental projects, including the establishment of Mysore Soap Factory, Mysore Iron and Steel Works (now Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant), State Bank of Mysore, Bangalore Agricultural University, and the Government Engineering College in Bangalore (now University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering).
While in office, Visvesvaraya once presented a comprehensive plan for industrial development to the Maharaja of Mysore. When the Maharaja expressed concern about the cost, Visvesvaraya reportedly said:
"If you can spend money to buy jewels for the royal family, why can’t you spend money for the welfare of your subjects?"
Those words were a testament of his candour and spine. They demonstrated his commitment to public welfare over personal luxury, earning him immense respect.
Innovation under pressure
In September 1908, the Musi River rose 60 feet after a cloudburst and burst its banks. Its waters inundated the city of Hyderabad (in modern-day Telangana), claiming 50,000 lives and destroying crores of rupees worth of property, besides washing away three bridges. Moved to grief by the scenes of death and devastation, the Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Mahbub Ali Pasha, broke down in public (poet Sarojini Naidu captured the moment in verse, titled The Tears Of Asif).
In his autobiography, Memoirs Of My Working Life, Sir MV wrote:
“…the rainfall recorded at Shamshabad, one of the principal rain-gauge stations in the catchment area, was 12.8 inches in 24 hours (28-29th September) and 18.9 inches in 48 hours (27-29th September).”
In 1909, he was appointed Chief Engineer of Hyderabad to find a solution to the flooding problem.
The reigning Nizam, who died in 1911, was succeeded by his son Mir Osman Ali Khan. Visvesvaraya devised an innovative flood protection system that included the construction of drainage channels and the improvement of river banks. In 1913, the new Nizam laid the foundation stone of Osman Sagar, one of the retaining reservoirs proposed by Visvesvaraya to tame the Musi’s rage. Sir MV’s quick thinking and engineering prowess protected the city from future floods while displaying his prowess for innovating under pressure.
Sights on the stars, but feet on the ground
Despite his illustrious career, Sir M Visvesvaraya remained humble about his roots. He was born into a modest family in Muddenahalli, about 60 km north of Bangalore, and worked hard to achieve his education and career milestones. He often credited his mother for instilling in him the values of hard work and perseverance. This humility and grounded nature endeared him to people from all walks of life, making him not just a respected engineer but also a beloved public figure.
Blessed with a long life, he worked hard almost until his last breath. He was knighted in 1915 and, after India gained independence, conferred the Bharat Ratna in 1955. Upon turning a hundred years old in 1961, he received a flood of correspondence from his well-wishers and admirers. He is reported to have responded individually to over 400 letters and postcards, writing his carefully worded replies in his clear and legible hand.
Sir MV’s birthday, September 15, is celebrated as Engineer’s Day in India. In every measure, Visvesvaraya was more than a brilliant civil engineer. Rather, this extraordinary polymath and lifelong learner brought his compassion, intelligence, humanity, and engineering skills to bear on improving the lives of the people of his country. His vision for urban planning and development influenced the modernisation of Indian cities and laid the groundwork for future advancements. The institutions he established continue to play a vital role in technical education and research in India. His innovative engineering solutions, especially in water management and flood control, set benchmarks in civil engineering and are studied and admired to this day. Widely respected as an ideal engineer and statesman, his life and work continue to inspire engineers, policymakers, and students.
What can tomorrow’s engineers take away from this? Can they be inspired by Sir M Visvesvaraya's dedication, discipline, and innovative spirit to find direction and purpose in their lives and steer their careers toward a life of public service?
Discover resources for further reading and exploration in English and Kannada at our website.
If you are conversant in Kannada, you will enjoy the Radio Azim Premji University series Noorakke Nooru Karnataka, which celebrates the sons and daughters of Karnataka, the cultural icons of the state, and its traditions and values.