National Engineers' Day - India

Every year National Engineers Day is celebrated in India on September 15. This day is celebrated to remember the contributions of Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya who was a Civil Engineer, Statesman, and Diwan of Mysore who had contributed immensely for the development of India in the field of engineering, education, economy.

This article will provide information regarding the National Engineer’s Day in the context of the IAS Exam.

The candidates can read about other important National Days from the links provided below:

Engineers day in India – Brief Background

• The decision to celebrate September 15 as Engineers day in India was taken by the Government of India in 1968. Visvesvaraya was born on 15th September 1861.
• World Engineers Day is celebrated annually by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on March 4. 

The candidates can read more about the List of Important Days & Dates 2021, from the linked article.

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya – Early Life

• Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya was born in Karnataka in a village named Muddenahalli.
• Visvesvaraya completed his Bachelor of Arts (BA) from the University of Madras.
• Visvesvaraya studied Civil Engineering at the College of Science in Pune.

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya – Awards, Achievements as Engineer, Important Administrative Positions

• In memory of the contributions of Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, 15th September is celebrated as Engineers Day not only in India but also in Sri Lanka and Tanzania.
• Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya was awarded Bharat Ratna in 1955.
• Visvesvaraya is widely regarded as the Father of Modern Mysore.
• Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya built the famous Krishnaraja Sagara (KRS) dam in Mysore. When it was constructed this dam had one of the largest reservoirs in entire Asia.
• To raise the food supply level and storage to the highest levels, an irrigation system with water floodgates was installed at the Khadakvasla reservoir near Pune. Visvesvaraya had later patented this system.
• The same system which was installed in Khadakvasla reservoir near Pune was also installed at Tigra Dam in Gwalior.
• He was the Chief Engineer of Laxmi Talav dam in south-west Maharashtra, Radanagari, Kolhapur.
• In recognition of his contributions to the public good, Visvesvaraya was knighted by King George V in 1915.
• He was serving as the 19th Diwan of Mysore, from 1912 to 1919.
• He was one of the Chief Engineers of the flood protection system for the city of Hyderabad.
• To protect the Visakhapatnam Port from Sea erosion, Visvesvaraya developed a system which was successfully installed.
• In Bihar, for the location of Mokama Bridge over River Ganges, Visvesvaraya had shared his technical expertise.
• Visvesvaraya played a crucial role in the planning for construction of the road between Tirupati and Tirumala.
• Eight universities in India gave honorary degrees to Visvesvaraya.
• Visvesvaraya was appointed as the Diwan of Mysore in 1912 and served in that position for seven years.
• Visvesvaraya was appointed Chief Engineer of Mysore State in November 1909.
• Visvesvaraya received a fellowship from the Indian Institute of Science (Bangalore).
• The London Institution of Civil Engineers had given honorary membership to Visvesvaraya.

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya Contributions – Government of Mysore state

While Visvesvaraya was working with Government of Mysore state he had immense contributions in the establishment of many institutions like the Apex Chamber of Commerce in Karnataka, Bangalore Agricultural University, University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (Bangalore), Sri Jayachamarajendra Polytechnic Bangalore, Mysore Iron & Steel Works (now known as Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Limited) in Bhadravathi, Parasitoid Laboratory, Mysore Soap Factory.

Education Institutions named in Honor of Visvesvaraya

Several educational institutions are named in honour of Visvesvaraya to recognise his contributions in the field of education and engineering. These institutions are listed below:

• Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur.
• Visvesvaraya Technological University in Belagavi (In Karnataka, most of the Engineering Colleges are affiliated to it)
• Sir M. Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology, Bangalore
• University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Bangalore

World Engineers Day

• The World Engineering Day Logo has 17 colours of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• Commitment to the UN 2030 Agenda is represented by this logo.
• The logo represents Sustainable Infrastructure and Innovation, Sustainable Development Goals for Energy, Water.

National Engineer’s Day [UPSC Notes]:-Download PDF Here