India observes 50th Engineers Day on the birth anniversary of M Visvesvaryya

This day holds significant importance in Indian calendar as India produces nearly 20 lakh engineers annually.

Engineers Day is observed on different dates in several countries around the world. India observes Engineers Day today on September 15 on the birth anniversary of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaryya, who is regarded as one of the greatest engineers India has ever produced.

This day holds significant importance in Indian calendar as India produces nearly 20 lakh engineers annually. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of Engineers Day in India. M Visvesvaraya was popularly known as "precursor of economic planning in India" by the Institution of Engineers India (IEI) for his valuable contributions in the field of engineering.

Some of his notable contributions include designing and constructing a number of dams, bridges, implementation of irrigation projects, and drinking water system.

After pursuing BA with distinction from Central College of Bangalore and Civil Engineering from College of Engineering, Pune, in 1881 and 1883, respectively, Visvesvarayya worked as an Assistant Engineer with the Public Works Department (PWD) in Mumbai (then Bombay) in 1884.

As a PWD engineer, he pioneered several projects related to maintenance of public buildings, road construction and laying out city developments plans in various parts of the country. Thereafter, he joined Indian Irrigation Commision.

Working with acute dedication and perseverance, Visvesvarayya ascended as the Chief Engineer in Karnataka (then Mysore Province) in 1909. One of his notable contributions is the system of automatic water floodgates that was first installed in 1903 at Khadakvasla reservoir near Pune.

These floodgates were designed and patented by him. The gates were initially used to control the floods of Mootha canal that flows through Pune. Similar types of gates were used later in the Krishnasagar dam in Mysore, Tigra dam in Gwalior and some large storage dams.

The popular Krishna Raja Sagara dam in Mandya district was also built by him. Besides being an engineer, he was also a scholar, statesman, and Diwan of the Princely state of Mysore for seven years between 1912-1919. The great engineer from Karnataka was conferred with the prestigious Bharat Ratna in the year 1955.