From 50 Years Ago: Shri M Visvesvaraya

All over the country the centenary of Shri M Visvesvaraya has been celebrated in afitting manner. His praise has been sung, tributes have been paid for his many services, his example has been held up to the youth of the country for emulation…; But in what way does Shri Visvesvaraya stand out from other men of his times or of his generation? A man of outstanding energy, enthusiasm and vision, versatile and hardworking. Shri Visvesvaraya has many achievements to his credit – Krishnaraja Sagar, the Bhadravati Steel Works, Mysore University, reservoir in Hyderabad, anumber of municipal projects of water supply and drainage…But it is not as the maker of ‘Model Mysore’ that Shri Visvesvaraya receives the homage of the nation…. A man of action in a country where men of contemplation are idolised, a karma yogi who modelled his life on the precepts of Samuel Smiles, a patriot who is dressed immaculately in a three-piece suit and yet sticks to his native turban, Shri Visvesvaraya ranks among the moderns. …Among many other things he did. Shri Visvesvarayawrote some books, one being ‘Planned Economy for India’. That was in 1934. Moscow alone then had a Plan. We were still groping. He showed us the way.