Today is Engineer's Day: Remembering Bharat Ratna Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvarayya

In India, Engineer’s Day is celebrated on 15th September in honor of the birth of Bharat Ratna Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvarayya who was a great engineer and statesman. Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvarayya, popularly known as M. V., was born at Muddenahalli village, Chikballapur block, Kolar District, Karnataka.

Visvesvarayya ( 15 September 1860 - 14 April 1962) had his primary school at Chikballapur and high school at Bangalore. He took his B.A.degree from Madras University in 1881 and later studied civil engineering at the College of Science (now known as the College of Engineering), Pune.

He is a recipient of the Indian Republic's highest honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 1955. He was also knighted as a Commander of the Indian Empire by King George V for his myriad contributions to the public good. Every year, 15 September is celebrated as the Engineer's Day in India in his memory. He is held in high regard as the first and pre-eminent Engineer of India, says Wikipedia.

Visvesvarayya initially worked with the Public Works Department (PWD) of Mumbai.Later was offered to work on the Indian Irrigation Commission. He developed a path-breaking system of irrigation and implemented it in the Deccan area.

In 1903, he developed the automatic weir water floodgates and got it patented His design was successfully used at the Khadakvasla reservoir near Pune. Later the design was also used at the Tigra dam in Gwalior.The Krishnaraja Sagara (KRS) dam near Mysore is based on the success of these gates.

According to Wikipedia, the Knight Commander of The Indian Empire medal Sir M.V. was honoured with honorary membership of the international Institution of Civil Engineers (based in London) and a fellowship of the Indian Institute of Science (based in Bangalore). He was also awarded several honorary doctoral degrees like D.Sc., LL.D., D.Litt. from various universities in India. He was president of the 1923 Session of the Indian Science Congress. Sir MV was also awarded honorary Membership of London Institution of Civil Engineers for an unbroken period of 50 years.
Near Nandi Hills, there is a picturesque memorial of Sir M. V. at Muddenahall