Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa unveiled a statue of Sir M. Visvesvaraya (1860-1962) on the premises of the Institute of Engineers (India), Karnataka, here on Tuesday.
The Institute of Engineers, which is celebrating its platinum jubilee celebrations (1934-2009), installed the statute to commemorate the 149th birth anniversary of the eminent engineer and statesman. In his memory, September 15 is celebrated as Engineers’ Day every year.
The Chief Minister recalled the contributions of Visvesvaraya and said the Government would organise a programme to commemorate his 150th birth anniversary next year. He recalled that Visvesvaraya was the main force behind the construction of the Krishna Raja Sagar reservoir, the steel plant at Bhadravathi, Sri Jayachamarajendra Polytechnic Institute at Bangalore, the University of Mysore, Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Ltd. (KSDL) and many other industries and public works.
Mr. Yeddyurappa said Visvesvaraya was a role model for the present generation of engineers, and the Government would identify good engineers and felicitate them on the occasion next year.
He added that Visvesvaraya was instrumental in the founding of the Government Engineering College at Bangalore in 1917, one of the first engineering institutes in India. This institution was later named the University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering. He was also the founder of the State Bank of Mysore.
Born in Muddenahalli in Chickaballapur district, Visvesvaraya was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1955. He was also knighted by the British for his myriad contributions to the public.
