Page 51 - MAAN KI BAAT - ENGLISH
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Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya (1861-1962), was conferred
the Bharat Ratna in 1955, India’s highest civilian honour, for
his distinguished service in engineering and nation-building.
He is credited with planning and implementing iconic projects
like the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam in Mysore, a flood-protection
system in Hyderabad, and working to save Visakhapatnam
Port from erosion.
He patented a system of automatic weir water floodgates, first
installed at Khadakvasla Reservoir near Pune in 1903.
As the 19th Dewan of Mysore from 1912-1918, he founded
several landmark institutions, such as the Iron and Steel plant
at Bhadravati, the Mysore Soap Factory, and the State Bank of
Mysore.
His famous phrase “Industrialise or Perish” was cited by
government sources as summarising his vision for India’s
progress through engineering and industry.
Engineers’ Day, commemorating his birthday, is described in
official releases as a tribute to his ‘engineering genius’ and
contributions to modernising the country.
Popular books authored by him are Reconstructing India
(1920) and Planned Economy for India (1934)
His work, 'Memoirs of My Working Life', was written when he
was 90. The memoir starts with his entry into government
service as Assistant Engineer in Bombay in 1884.
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