Dr. Sir M Vishweshwaraiah - Documentry by Films Division, India

 Sir M Visvesvaraya not only spun many a dream for Karnataka, but also ensured it took concrete shape. And a bed of rock where he defined his vision is now a memorial of sorts in 'A Block' quarters of GKVK campus, University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS).

After retiring as Dewan of the princely state of Mysore, MV would spend his evenings going on long walks along Hebbal Road. His walks would culminate at the bed of rock on the UAS campus which he, incidentally, founded.



Sharing his memories with TOI, former vice-chancellor of UAS GK Veeresh, now 81, said he remembers seeing Sir MV reading books sitting on this rock, when pursuing BSc in agricultural sciences from 1954-57.

Visvesvaraya, who stayed off Cubbon Road, would get his driver to drop him at Mehkri Circle every evening. He would then walk all the way to the rock in GKVK.

"Incidentally, many a time, I've seen legendary physicist CV Raman walking on the left side of the road and Sir MV on the right side at the same time," added Veeresh.

Recalling Visvesvaraya's discipline and dress sense, Veeresh said, "When I was a student, we once went to Sir MV's house in the afternoon to invite him as chief guest for the annual programme of the UAS Students' Association. Sir MV was sleeping and his folks woke him up. But the strict disciplinarian turned up in his customary attire, complete with coat, tie and a Mysore peta on his head to meet us."

Suresh Moona, Bangalore historian, said Sir MV would occasionally walk along with Mirza Muhammad Ismail, who also was Dewan of Mysore in the 1920s, up to the rock. While Mirza would walk back from the rock, Sir MV would sit and work on his drawings and various engineering plans and projects. Suresh said Visvesvaraya liked this rock because it was surrounded by lush green trees and had a serene atmosphere.

Discovered in 2002

Sir MV's favourite rock seat was not known to many. In 2002, Suresh Moona came to know about this rock and informed UAS officials. He requested that it be made a memorial. A statue of Sir MV was installed near the rock and named Sir M Visvesvaraya Memorial Rock in 2003.

On Sunday, like every year this past decade, faculty members of the UAS and their children gathered at the rock on Engineers' Day to pay tribute to Sir MV.            by Pavan M V, TNN |