Memoirs of my working life

by M. Visvesvaraya

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Genres: History

Unknown Binding

About the author

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, KCIE (popularly known as Sir MV; 15 September 1861 – 12 April 1962) was an Indian engineer, scholar, statesman and the Diwan of Mysore from 1912 to 1918. He is a recipient of the Indian Republic's highest honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 1955. He was knighted as a Knight Commander of the British Indian Empire (KCIE) by King George V for his contributions to the public good. 15 September is celebrated as Engineer's Day in India in his memory. He is held in high regard as a pre-eminent engineer of India. He was the chief engineer responsible for the construction of the Krishna Raja Sagara dam in Mysore as well as the chief designer of the flood protection system for the city of Hyderabad

Reviews

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memoirs of my working life: M. Visvesvaraya -details brief history situations of work, position of capable Indian Government sevants, from February, 1884 to 1951. British ruled India and were aware of problems and implemented solutions for betterment of citizens. As a civil engineer in Public Works Department, he executed projects to make water available to farmers and later prepare schemes for implementation for Municipality of Sukkur, Sind. Irrigation channels and reservoir for Dhulia Khandesh area and canal irrigation by block system for Pune, water works at Surat etc. sluice gates for lake Fife, Khadakwasla reservoir. He traveled to Egypt and implemented water works in consultation with top engineers and Army successfully. It has been proved that British included names of officers for important work, according to merit of officer- whether European or Indian. Being met by Governor of Bombay, being examined by a Committee on irrigation planning etc, preparing scheme and getting finance sanctioned for implementation and personally implementing it, is satisfactory to read. A reader easily understands his situation and continues to read eagerly. He traveled round England, Europe, USA to understand the latest civil engineering development in Urban Water Works, irrigation of crops, town planning for water storage and supply, modern industry which could be useful to Indian conditions. After taking voluntary retirement from Government of Bombay PWD service, he traveled to Europe where he was informed of appointment as Engineer for Hyderabad Water works where excessive rains had brought floods in river Musi and water tanks were overflowing. He took the appointment, planned and executed the water works project. He later was appointed as Engineer with Mysore where he rose the post of Diwan. Here he planned and implemented schemes for education, industry, House of representatives, University, hydro electric power projects, proper electricity supply for Kolar Gold Fields, maintenance and expansion of Railways in Mysore area etc. One thing which is brought out clearly is that local Maharajas brought in international talent to examine and implement their projects. Effect of initiation and implementation of projects due to World War I and II has been depicted in the Book. Indigenous local industries can be successfully be run by committed Indians has been shown by development of Bhadrawati Works. It is a must read book for all.

[Nikhil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always wanted to know more about Sir M Visveswaraiah who was one of the greatest engineers of the last century. This book is written by him accounting his experiences while in service as engineer and later as Dewan of Mysore. The accomplishments of Sir M V speaks for the man's dedication, honesty and integrity. After reading the book one will be left astonished by the colossal achievement of this great man. "It is better to wear out than to rust out" which was the guiding motto of Sir M Vishveshwaraiah inspires all of us to achieve something in life and take risks. As a friend of mine once said the only risk that we would be taking in life is "deciding not to take risks".

[Prashanth Bhat · Rating 4 out of 5]

ಸರ ಎಂ ವಿಶ್ವೇಶ್ವರಯ್ಯ ಅವರ ವೃತ್ತಿ ಜೀವನದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಅವರೇ ಬರೆದುಕೊಂಡ ಅಪರೂಪದ ಪುಸ್ತಕ. ಸೇವೆಯ ಆರಂಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಅದಕ್ಷ ಎಂಬ ಷರಾ ಗಳಿಸಿದ, ಅದನ್ನು ಅಳಿಸುವಂತೆ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡಿದ ಮಹನೀಯರು. ಬರೀ ಅಷ್ಟೇ ಅಲ್ಲದೆ ತಾವು ಎಲ್ಲೆಲ್ಲಿ ಯಾವ ಯಾವ ಕೆಲಸಗಳ ಕೈಗೊಂಡೆ ಎಂಬುದನ್ನು ದಸ್ತಾವೇಜಿನಂತೆ ಬರೆದಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ದೇಶ ಕಟ್ಟಲು ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯತೆ ಎಷ್ಟು ಮುಖ್ಯ ಎಂಬುದಾಗಿಯೂ ,ಕಮ್ಯುನಿಸಂ ಬಗೆಗಿನ ಟಿಪ್ಪಣಿಯೂ ಗಮನ ಸೆಳೆಯಿತು. ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣ ವಿರೋಧಿ ಚಳುವಳಿಯ ಅಂಗವಾಗಿ ಅವರು ವಿದಾಯ ಹೇಳಬೇಕಾಗಿ ಬಂದ ಘಟನೆಯೂ ಉಲ್ಲೇಖನೀಯ.
ಎಲ್ಲೂ ಸಂಯಮ ಮೀರದ ಬರವಣಿಗೆ

[Indresh Narayanaswamy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best memoirs you will ever read! Sir MV will move you with his classic English and how he achieved engineering marvels in pre & post Independence India

[Ravinder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written by Sir MV in 1951. For most parts, it is self laudatory, with very little self criticism coming through. He does share the limelight with many others who measured up to his expectations at a professional level.

If one puts aside the self praise aside while reading this text, there are plenty of useful thoughts penned in here, that are useful to implement for the benefit of all Indians even almost 70 years later. The narrative style of the book does not in any way impact the fact that many of his achievements were long lasting, or at least lasted till people of integrity managed those projects.

I did have a "what if" moment when he describes how the First World War resulted in the then Maharaja of Mysore putting on hold all development projects in the state, and providing instead the British Govt access to whatever help they needed. Almost 5 years of time wasted under his time as the Dewan of Mysore. What if the First World War hadn't taken place? How much more would Mysore state have been improved in education and industrialisation?

The last 3 chapters under the section "Some Lessons for India's Future" and in particular the chapter on "National Character" should be a must read for all youngsters. Specific to India, I would like to see these chapters as a part of the senior secondary or PU syllabus.

[Narayan Venkitachalam]

This book is an autobiography by Sir M. Visveswaraya. It is a very inspiring book that throws light on how a person could impact humanity with engineering abilities in the early part of his career and combined with administrative excellence and diligence in the later part.

Quotes:
- To make him efficient, the average Indian must work harder than he does now, must develop disciplined habits and should equip himself, as far as circumstances permit him to do so, with a sound knowledge of general world affairs. Every individual who considers himself progressive should endeavour to acquire such knowledge. If he possesses higher capacity and merit and is inspired by ambition, he ought to put forth his best efforts to do any work which comes his way as efficiently as possible. Every man who has become great owes his achievements to incessant toil.

[M J · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book mostly covers a lot of working details of Sir Mokshagundum Visweswaraya from his engineering positions in the government to Dewan appointment under the Mysore king. I'd say that a lot of mundane information is provided in this book and the book is not a very gripping one. Although, being a civil engineer I certainly found out what I was looking for . One might find very interesting accounts of governance during the pre- independent era as well as the Republic of India during it's formative years. I would suggest this book to civil engineers who look forward to serving in the government.

[Sat Tomer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great person, but the book is average.

[Msnjuir Irmg · Rating 1 out of 5]

It cant open

[Medhat ullah · Rating 5 out of 5]

buuullshit :(