After his return from the tour of Europe and America, Sir M.V wanted an Automobile Industry to be started in Bangalore. The detailed plan of the project and the team to take up the venture were ready. But that did not materialize. However, Sir M.V was instrumental in the industrialist, Seth Walchand Hirachand setting up Hindustan Aircraft Limited. The first Harlow trainer was flown within the first seven month of the inception of the company. On November 10, 1948, Sir M.V visited the centre and was happy to see its progress. By 1964, it became Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Today, HAL is a proud feather on the cap of the city.
Bhadravati Iron Factory started during 1918 when Sir M.V was the Dewan, suffered a heavy loss within two decades of its inception. The Maharaja, requested Sir M.V to set it right. In a short span of few years, he was able to bring it back on its ruts. Pleased by his amazing ability in damage control, the Maharaja paid him an honorarium of ₹2 lakh. But, Sir M.V gave the entire amount to start a job training institute and requested His Highness to name it as Sri Jayachamarajendra Occupational Institute. However, started in 1939, it came to be known as Sri Jayachamarajendra Polytechnic Institute.
Sir M.V was a Member of the Governing Council of Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. It was during his time that a medical school was also started to give a systematic training to doctors. Century Club, Ladies club, Bangalore Press, Hotel Industry and many more such institutions of the City, owe their existence to Sir M.V.
Sir M.V resided at ‘Uplands’ in High Grounds, Later he moved to a building no.5 near General Post office on Cubbon Road. Visvesvaraya Tower, one of the earliest multistorey buildings of the city, is built on the same space. Finally, he bought a house in Museum Road.
Sir M.V authored many books on developmental aspects of the state and our nation. His address in the Bangalore Literary Union on May 20, 1953 , at the age of about 93, on The Bangalore City and its Future, epitomises the vision he had for the fast growing city. When he turned 100, the State Government celebrated it in Glass House, Lalbagh. Many dignitaries, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Governor Jayachamaraja Wadiyar, Chief Minister B.D. Jatti, lauded his invaluable service to the city and the state. In the end, everyone one was curious to listen to the great man’s response. But, he stood up and just said, ‘Thank you very much’! His few words summarised his entire life and also the message to the next generation to talk less and work more.
Two last wishes of Sir M.V, who had not wished for anything else other than the welfare of the state, were that he wanted to breathe his last in Bangalore and his funeral rites to be performed in Muddenahalli, his birth place, in a simple way. The almighty granted both. The Chief Architect of Modern India breathed his last on April 14, 1962.
In order to honour Sir M.V, The All India Manufacturers Organization of Mysore State decided to set up a science and technology museum in Bangalore. The foundation stone was laid by the chief minister Sri B.D. Jatti on 15.9.1958. The Visvesvaraya Museum society was formed. An elegant building with display space was constructed in Cubbon Park. It was inaugurated by the prime minister on July 14, 1962. Widely known as VITM, it is one of the few best science museums of the country.
Sir M.Vs statues and busts in KR Circle, Institute of Engineers and some other places have been a source of inspiration for the people of Bangalore, particularly the youth. However, there is a rock memorial of Sir M.V which is not known to many, in the serene surroundings of Agricultural Department, Bellary Road.
. Once it was brought to the notice of the authorities, the rock memorial was inaugurated on 15.9 2003.
Like Swami Vivekananda, Sir M.V is an all time role model. Several very interesting incidences and anecdotes in the life of Sir M.V, convey his sincerity, integrity, honesty, self discipline and deep concern for the welfare of the state. If, the present generation of peoples’ representatives, bureaucrats and the general public, emulate any one or two of his virtues, the scenario will definitely change for the better .
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