Why September 15 is celebrated as National Engineer’s Day in India?

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The four years an engineering student spends in college is filled with evergreen memories. From eating up the mammoth syllabus a night before an exam to making new hostel friends and playing pranks, the journey is filled with adventures of a lifetime. And what better way could there be to celebrate the country’s greatest minds than the National Engineer’s Day! Every year on 15 September we celebrate the backbone of this country, but have you ever wondered about the significance behind this historical day?

Every year, India produces about 1.5 million engineers. Yes, you read that number correctly, one point five million. Each and every one of these talented engineers go on to contribute to the success and growth of the country, that demands applause and appreciation. Which is why India marks 15 September as National Engineer’s Day every year, to recognise the extra mile our talented engineers walk to develop India. 

India chose 15 September to celebrate National Engineer’s Day in order to pay tribute to one of the most visionary and eminent civil engineers the country has had, Sir M. Visvesvaraya. The day marks the birth of the Bharat Ratna recipient, who is considered as one of the most prominent nation-builders. His legacy is also commemorated by Sri Lanka and Tanzania, who also celebrate Engineer’s Day on 15 September. Read on to know more about Sir M Visvesvaraya, and how the country has continued to celebrate him for more than five decades. 

The life of Sir M. Visvesvaraya

As mentioned above, National Engineer’s Day marks the birth date of India’s most prolific civil engineer, dam builder, economist, statesman, Sir M. Visvesvaraya. Born into an orthodox Telugu Brahmin family on 15 September, 1860, the pioneer pursued a Bachelors in Arts from the University of Madras. He always knew he was an innovator by heart, which is why he went on to secure a degree in Civil Engineering from the College of Science in Pune. 

With a career spanning over 34 years, his first job was as an Assistant Engineer in the Public Works Department for the Government of Bombay. Sir M. Visvesvaraya later became the Diwan of Mysore from 1912 to 1918. He was the chief engineer responsible for the construction of the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam in Mysore, as well as as the chief designer of the flood protection system for the city of Hyderabad. His work quickly won people’s attention, and ultimately earned him the status of “Father of Modern Mysore State”.

Due to his outstanding contribution to the society, he was awarded the British knighthood by King George V, and hence has the honorific ‘Sir’ to his name. He was also awarded several honorary doctoral degrees from eight universities across India. The popularity of his work prompted the Government of India to assign important projects under his guidance, and also sent him to Aden to study water supply. Later, in his remarkable journey, Sir M. Visvesvaraya also served as one of the Board of Directors for TATA Steel from 1927 to 1955. 

A legacy to be remembered

Sir M. Visvesvaraya was never perturbed by the thoughts of death. Nearing his 100th birthday, when he was asked about the secret behind his longevity, he is reported to have said that “Death called on me long ago but found me not at home and went away." With his demise in 1962, the phenomenal man still continues to inspire the country with the celebrations of National Engineer’s Day every year on September 15. 

As the Diwan of Mysore, Sir M. Visvesvaraya founded the Mysore Soap Factory, Bangalore Agricultural University, State Bank of Mysore and Mysore Iron and Steel Works. The companies provided employment to thousands of people, further perpetuating his legacy on National Engineer’s Day. He also played an instrumental role in laying the foundations of Government Engineering College at Bangalore in 1917, one of the first engineering institutes in India, which is now known as University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering. 

The legacy he has left behind has prompted leaders across the country to pay tribute to one of the finest engineers the country has had, and celebrate the unique set of engineers it harbours. On the occasion of National Engineer’s Day, senior ministers of the Narendra Modi cabinet paid tribute to Sir M. Visvesvaraya today. Union Home Minister Amit Shah described him as a great engineer and statesman. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tweeted about his extraordinary contribution to infrastructure, built during pre and post India’s independence. 

Celebrating our talented engineers

Without a doubt, the legacy left behind by Sir M. Visvesvaraya has had a monumental impact on the talented engineers of the country today. It stands as a reminder about the hard work and effort our engineers put in for the growth of this country. After all, an engineer is in a position to change the world around them, not just study it, making their presence in society a necessity. From the work engineers do as entrepreneurs in startups, to establishing the presence of corporate giants in the country, they have broadened the horizons for India in terms of opportunities. 

The diverse career paths an engineer embarks upon, post their graduation, is a symbol of the revolutionary changes they make. Their contributions are crucial to India and its people, which is why on behalf of Unstop (formerly Dare2Compete) we wish every engineer out there a very happy National Engineer’s Day. If you too have some engineer friends who have made you proud, you must send them your wishes for the day!

In honour of National Engineer’s Day, check out the following articles which might interest you:

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