Why is Engineers' Day celebrated on September 15? Learn the full story of M. Visvesvaraya.

Visvesvaraya was born on September 15, 1861, in Muddenahalli, Karnataka. It was decided to celebrate his birth anniversary as Engineers' Day in India. Engineers' Day was celebrated in the country for the first time in 1968.

National Engineers' Day is celebrated in India every year on September 15. This day marks the birth anniversary of the country's great engineer, economist, and statesman, Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya. His work in the field of engineering gave a new direction to irrigation, water management, dam construction, and technical education in India. The day will be observed on the occasion of his 165th birth anniversary in 2026. Visvesvaraya's life was not limited to engineering projects alone; he also made significant contributions to administration and education, emphasizing the development of technical capabilities within the country.

Visvesvaraya was born on September 15, 1861, in Muddenahalli, Karnataka. It was decided to celebrate his birth anniversary as Engineers' Day in India. Engineers' Day was celebrated in the country for the first time in 1968. On this day, engineering-related programs are organized in schools, colleges, and technical institutions. These activities include technical competitions, seminars, quizzes, exhibitions, and project presentations.

Visvesvaraya received his early education in Karnataka. He later moved to Chennai for higher education, where he pursued a B.A. degree from the University of Madras. Subsequently, he developed an interest in science and engineering and studied Civil Engineering at the College of Science in Pune. After becoming an engineer, he developed technical solutions for issues such as water management, irrigation, and flood control.

A crucial part of Visvesvaraya's work was related to water management. He worked on various technical measures to control water flow and prevent floods. The automatic sluice gates he designed helped regulate the flow of water. Following the devastating floods of the Musi River in Hyderabad in 1908, he worked on flood control measures. In this capacity, he made significant contributions to the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam project, which was vital for irrigation and water supply; the project helped boost irrigation and agriculture in the region. He also contributed to efforts aimed at protecting the Visakhapatnam Port from sea erosion.

Visvesvaraya served as the Diwan of Mysore from 1912 to 1918. During this tenure, he spearheaded numerous initiatives to advance the state's development, industrial activity, and infrastructure. Consequently, he is remembered as a key figure in the development of modern Mysore.

To promote technical education, he played a pivotal role in establishing an engineering college, which later came to be known as the University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering.

In recognition of his contributions to the nation's development, the Government of India honored him with the Bharat Ratna in 1955. Earlier, during British rule, he had been awarded the title of Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire. In 1960, to mark his birth centenary, India Post issued a commemorative postage stamp in his honor. Subsequently, it was decided to observe his birthday as National Engineers' Day.