The Institution of Engineers (India) observes 15th September of each year as Engineers Day in memory of the country's great engineer and statesman - Sir Visvesvaraya and evolved guidelines for celebrating the Day. Accordingly a central theme of national importance is chosen and deliberated at various centres by IEI every year to educate the society in general and the engineering fraternity in particular. The theme for this year's Engineer's Day is "Innovation in Manufacturing for Global Competitiveness".

Sir Visvesvaraya was born on 15th September 1861, in a small village Muddenahallil in Karnataka State (India). After obtaining the B.A. degree from Madras University in 1880, Visvesvaraya went to do his L.C.E at Bombay University. In 1884 he began his career as Asst. Engineer in Public Works Department of Bombay which later led to his appointment as Chief Engineer of Mysore State.

As an Engineer, two important achievements of work are permanently associated with his memory. They are the devising of the Automatic Sluice Gates which were patented in his name and the Block System of Irrigation. Visvesvaraya's potential was recognized early in his career and he was always consulted in many ongoing schemes of the nation. Through his high ranking abilities and capabilities he then rose to the rare privilege and great honour to become the Dewan of the State of Mysore in India.

Sir Visvesvaraya was not satisfied to be an Engineer only in the technical and professional sense of the term - he wanted to Engineer the economic welfare of the whole of India. To that work he brought powers of mind and knowledge of men and material which was much too advanced for the time he was living in.

In position of authority and power as Chief Engineer and subsequently as Dewan in Mysore State, under the patronage of the Maharajah of Mysore, Sir Visvesvaraya was able to plan and implement several industrial and railway projects. He brought in many administrative reforms and his influence extended into the field of politics and the system of education.

The most noted of his achievements can be listed as the concept and bringing to fruition the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam Project, which revived many dying industries of the state and helped set up several new ones; the starting of the University of Mysore and the introduction of 'Efficiency Audit' in government offices. The iron and steel works at Bhadravathi - a great mining and manufacturing enterprise was also a brain child of Sir Visvesvaraya.

He authored several publications, chief among them being 'Reconstructing India', 'Planned Economy of India' and 'Memories of my working life'. During his lifetime Sir Visvesvaraya was the recipient of several honours. In 1934, he was made Hon. Life Member, of the Institution of Engineers (India)'. In 1948 he received a Doctorate from Mysore University and in 1955 he was awarded the Bharat Ratna - the highest Indian Civilian honour.

Alert and active until the very end, Sir Visvesvaraya was able to participate in the 100th Birthday Celebration held in his honour in 1960. He breathed his last on 14th April, 1962 after living a fruitful life dedicated to the service of humanity and the nation.

His contribution towards the growth of the Institution of Engineers, especially in its early days cannot go without appreciation. The achievements made by him towards the economical, financial, political and social developments will always be remembered for years to come. And today, in memory of this great engineer and statesman the members of the Institution of Engineers (India), Kuwait Chapter pays their respectful homage.

click here for biography of Sir Visvesvarayaas as published by www.freeindia.org