Every year, India observes National Engineers’ Day on September 15. It is a day dedicated to acknowledging the contributions of engineers to society and the nation’s development. The date is chosen to commemorate the birth anniversary of one of India’s greatest engineers and visionaries, Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya. Born on 15 September 1861, Sir Visvesvaraya is widely regarded as the architect of modern India’s engineering practices. Engineers’ Day pays tribute to his brilliance, dedication, and far-reaching impact in the fields of water resources, infrastructure, and nation-building. Read | Meet India’s first women engineers who graduated from CEG in 1944 Visvesvaraya was born in a small village called Muddenahalli in the Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka. His father, a Sanskrit scholar, passed away when he was very young, and his family faced financial struggles. Despite these hardships, he excelled in academics. After completing his schooling in Chikkaballapur and Bengaluru, Visvesvaraya pursued a Bachelor of Arts from Central College, Bengaluru. Later, he enrolled at the College of Engineering, Pune, where he studied civil engineering. His technical acumen quickly came to the forefront, and he secured a position in the Public Works Department of Bombay Presidency, marking the beginning of a distinguished career. Contributions in engineering and legacy Visvesvaraya is best remembered for his pioneering work in irrigation and flood control systems. His design of the automatic sluice gates installed at the Khadakwasla reservoir near Pune was a groundbreaking innovation of his time. These gates were later replicated at several dams across India. He also played a central role in the construction of the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam in Mysuru, which transformed the region’s agriculture and economy. Beyond water management, he contributed to the development of Hyderabad’s drainage system, preventing recurrent floods. His efforts were instrumental in modernising Mysuru state under the reign of the Wodeyars, where he also established industries, educational institutions, and the Mysore Soap Factory. Why is engineer's day celebrated on Sir M Visvesvaraya's birth anniversary? Many of Sir Visvesvaraya’s projects remain functional even today, reflecting the foresight and precision of his engineering. The KRS Dam continues to be vital for irrigation and power generation. His approach to resource management and industrial planning still serves as a model for sustainable engineering and infrastructure development in India. When is World Engineering Day celebrated? While India celebrates Engineers’ Day on September 15, the UNESCO-recognised World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development is observed on March 4 every year. This global observance highlights the role of engineers in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. In 2025, the theme of World Engineering Day was 'Engineering solutions for a sustainable world', focusing on innovations that balance technological growth with environmental responsibility.
