1861 – 1962
A CENTURY OF IMPACT
"Remember, your work may be only to sweep a railway crossing, but it is your duty to keep it so clean that no other crossing in the world is as clean as yours."
A Journey of Innovation
Born in Muddenahalli
Born on September 15 to a Telugu Brahmin family in a village near Chikkaballapur, Kingdom of Mysore.
Education
Earned his Bachelor of Arts from Central College, Bangalore, followed by studying civil engineering at the College of Science, Pune (now COEP).
Sukkur Waterworks
Designed and implemented an intricate system of waterworks for the municipality of Sukkur in Sindh (now in Pakistan).
Automatic Weir Gates
Designed and patented automatic weir floodgates, first installed at the Khadakwasla Reservoir near Pune to raise the flood supply level.
Diwan of Mysore
Served as the Diwan (Chief Minister) of Mysore. Founded the State Bank of Mysore, University of Mysore (1916), and the Mysore Chamber of Commerce.
Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam
Served as the chief engineer for the construction of the KRS Dam in Mandya, which was the largest reservoir in Asia at the time it was built.
Bharat Ratna
Awarded India's highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna, for his exceptional contributions to the nation's engineering and industrial development.
Passing
Passed away on April 14 at the age of 101, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire millions of engineers.
Monuments of Engineering
Beyond his statesmanship, Sir MV was fundamentally a builder. His engineering solutions transformed the landscape of India.
Khadakwasla Weir Gates
Patented a system of automatic weir water floodgates that were installed at the Khadakwasla Reservoir. They allowed the reservoir to hold more water without damaging the dam.
Bhadravati Steel Works
Rescued the Mysore Iron and Steel Works from shutting down by taking over as Chairman, turning it into a profitable enterprise and a cornerstone of industrial Mysore.
Krishna Raja Sagara Dam
Orchestrated the construction of the KRS Dam across the Kaveri River. It provided drinking water for Mysore and Bangalore and supported the Shivanasamudra hydroelectric power station.