Legendary engineer and statesman, Sir M Visvesvaraya, has emerged, as the most popular Kannadiga in a poll conducted by CNN-IBN, Deccan Herald and Radio City.

In a week-long poll conducted via Internet and SMS, over 1.06 lakh people participated. Visvesvaraya polled 46 per cent of the votes. Kannada superstar Rajkumar was voted the second most popular Kannadiga with 26 per cent votes. 

Infosys chief mentor N R Narayana Murthy got 19 per cent, former chief minister S Nijaligappa 4 per cent, cricketer Anil Kumble 3 per cent and Hindustani musician Gangubai Hangal 2 per cent.

Popularly known as Sir MV, Visesvaraya is described as the architect of Old Mysore state. As Dewan of the Mysore province, he initiated a number of development works, including the construction of KRS dam.
His brilliance, efficiency, integrity, love for the people, legendary administrative skills, immense contribution to public life made him a cult figure during his lifetime.

Though he died 44 years ago, his memory is still green in the heart and minds of millions of Kannadigas. The poll has proved that the state is still indebted to him.

His grand niece Shantha Nanjudaiah expressed joy over the poll results. She said it was heartening to know that the people across the state still love her grandfather. “Visvesvaraya has done great service to the state. He is remembered for his personal and public integrity, love for the people. We are very happy. It is great to be associated with his family, with his name,” she said.

Life & journey of a Centenarian

Sir M. Visvesvaraya was born on September 15, 1860 in Muddenahalli village in the Kolar district of the erstwhile princely state of Mysore (present day Karnataka). His father Srinivasa Sastry was a Sanskrit scholar and Ayurvedic practitioner. His mother Venkachamma was a religious lady.

Visvesvaraya completed his early education in Chikkaballapur and then went to Bangalore for higher education. In 1883 he ranked first in the L.C.E. and the F.C.E. Examinations (equivalent to B.E. Examination of today).

When Sir M. Visvesvaraya cleared his engineering, Government of Bombay offered him a job and appointed him Assistant Engineer at Nasik. As an engineer, he achieved some marvelous feats. He planned a way of supplying water from the river Sindhu to a town called Sukkur. He devised a new irrigation system called the Block System. He devised steel doors to stop the wasteful flow of water in dams. He was the architect of the Krishnaraja Sagara dam in Mysore.

Sir M. Visvesvaraya lead a very simple life. He was a strict vegetarian and a teetotaler. He was known for his honesty and integrity. In 1912, Maharaja of Mysore appointed Visvesvaraya as his Dewan. As Dewan of Mysore, he worked tirelessly for educational and industrial development of the state. When he was the Dewan many new industries came up. Of the many factories he started the most important is the Bhadravati Iron and Steel Works.

Sir M. Visvesvaraya voluntarily retired as Dewan of Mysore in 1918. He worked actively even after his retirement. Sir M. Visvesvaraya was honored with Bharat Ratna in 1955 for his invaluable contribution to the nation. When he reached the age of 100, the Government of India brought out a stamp in his honor. Sir Visvesvaraya passed away on April 14, 1962 at the age of 101.