Sir M V - Versatile Futurist

Personally, this piece of blog gives me more happiness and motivation as he is one of the great personalities I admire, yet I feel its impossible to do justice by writing few lines consider the magnanimity of his achievements.

Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, a well known engineer, scholar, and visionary born at Muddenahalli, Chikballapur District was a recipient of the Indian Republic's highest honour, the Bharat Ratna,.

It’s not the number of years one needs to be in power in politics or public service for serving the public but the dedication and commitment towards one’s work and duty that matters. It’s pretty difficult to know about the achievements of Sir M V in one small piece of writing. However, if we are able to pick one leaf from such great person’s life, even that can also be a great learning for us.

The duration of his tenure as a deewan of Mysore was just 6 years. But the amount of contribution to the improvement of industrialization was multifold. He was the architect of Krishnaraja Sagara Dam, popularly known as KRS which is one of the biggest dams in India. He was instrumental in rescuing the Bhadravati Iron & Steel works and the honorary amount he earned out of it was completely used for the cause of setting up Jayachamarajendra Technical Institute. Does it stop here.. No way.. He set up HAL, Mysore University, State bank of Mysore, Mysore chamber of commerce, Public Libraries, Kannada Sahitya Parishad.  Diverse achievements yet linked - Industrialization, education, Banking, aeronautics, Linguistics development – What a versatile individual and outstanding contributions!

One incident demonstrating his energy levels and commitment - Government of India wanted the expert consultancy of Sir M V for Bihar Dam Project. All the facilities required for Sir MV was made considering his age and expertise. Sir M V arrived and it was a hilly terrain and there were arrangements made to carry him in hand carts. Sir MV reached the spot in car and even before the handcarts were summoned and as soon as car stopped, he just jumped out of the car and roamed the hilly terrain by foot jumping from one rock to other. He surveyed the entire area for his technical assessment. Guess what is age was then – around 90 years… J and people stood disagreeing that he could be 90 years. …how could he have this energy unless he had such complete commitment to the work he undertook.

After the visit, Sir M V prepared his assessment and recommendation report and asked the government official to get a high quality print. Government official replied that there was a specific budget and he will try to get the best quality within the budget. There came an immediate reply from Sir MV, “This is my work and why use government money. I will give the necessary money”. – Leaving aside the money part, how many of us even consider our work so seriously 

If any one has to know how much an individual can achieve in his or her life, has to take a glance into Sir M V’s life history. If there was one person who was an epitome of dedication, intelligence, vision, humbleness, discipline and simplicity, that was Sir M Visveswaraya.

Dr. H N - Visionary Educator

“After my death, please burn my body and do Not bury.  Donate my eyes.  Do not declare holiday to any our institutes due to my death. “

A death note and own money for cremation was set aside by this great humanitarian and visionary with a committee of students and well wishers to execute it. Probably, it might be wrong to introduce a great person with a note on death. But there is so much to learn even at this stage from this inspiring individual which means, it’s beyond our imagination to completely understand the achievements and value system of this individual. This was Dr. H Narasimhaiah, icon of scientific beliefs, enabler of education to many, worshipper of work and one of the simplest human beings,  yet so outstanding by his achievements.  

H Narasimhaiah, popularly known as Dr HN, was a Freedom Fighter, Excellent Teacher with a Doctorate in Nuclear Science from Ohio University, Educational Reformer, popularly known as Visionary Educator, Social Reformer, Scientific Thinker, Witty and Humorous and above all a great human being.   

WOW!  so many roles in a life time … appears  impossible for most of us and we feel ourselves great by just managing our career and family.  

Dr HN, born in a poor family on 6^th June, 1921, grew up to become a Great Academician, Scientific Thinker, Vice Chancellor of Bangalore University.  Inspite of excellent educational background, a Doctorate from Ohio University with research offers, prestigious role of Vice Chancellor, yet he lived the life of great simplicity. He lived in the college hostel – a single room accommodation, and the only vehicle he owned and used was a cycle otherwise using the public transport. He was recipient of numerous awards such as Padmabhushana from Indian government, Sir MV Award for contribution to scientific purpose, only Indian Fellow of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, USA and many more.  All the financial components of his awards were used towards setting up and improving educational institutions.

Dr HN strived and dedicated his life towards education. The institute he worked as teacher, principal and chairman was his life line. Dr. H N was a strong supporter of science and formed a committee to investigate miracles and verifiable superstition which comprised of doctors, scientists, lawyers as members.  As part of this committee, he brought to light various conmen prevailing at that point of time in society and victimizing people in the name of religious miracles and superstitious beliefs. 

One of the well known contributions of Dr HN was Bangalore Science Forum which he set up to promote the cause of Science.  He also set up Bangalore Social Science Forum, Gandhi Adhyayana Kendra, Sevasangha for Social service and many such social bodies to promote science, social welfare, education etc.

It’s very normal for us to change our life styles and way of living as we reach new stages of our career and financial status.  But this was a man who led a simple life at every stage of his life – student, teacher, principal, scientist, vice chancellor, Member of legislative assembly etc.  I think that’s why it’s very aptly said in one of our Subhashitas (Moral /good sayings) –

    “सम्पत्तौ च विपत्तौ च महतामेकरूपता”

Sampattau cha Vipattau cha Mahataamekaroopataa

In good and bad times, great people remain same.  

Great individuals such as Dr. H N did not change with distress, wealth, happiness and led a life of simplicity always constantly contributing to the development of the fellow individuals

A Glimpse - Great Personalities - Sushruta

In the middle of the night, a man with blood covered face and broken nose ,  screaming with pain came to see this old doctor. The old doctor made the man to lie down on floor and gave him Grape Juice before treating with any medical procedures. This was the man who used Grape Juice as anesthesia before performing the medical procedures and  was the first to use  Anesthesia. Who else it could be other than Sushruta, the great Indian Surgeon!

Sushruta , an ancient indian surgeon gives immense pride for every Indian with his numerous and unmatched  achievements in the field of Indian Medicine. Sushruta is known to be the first to introduce Caesarian surgery, first to perform infectionless medical procedures, first anesthetist,  first individual to have described and performed Plastic Surgery and probably many more such firsts which we might not even know.

Unfortunately, very little is known about the history of Sushruta as there is no conclusive answer on his time line and family background. There are stories which say that he was son of sage Vishwamitra. There are references that say that he was referred by Panini, great Sanskrit scholar whose time was 700 BC which means Sushruta was prior to Panini and lived in Kashi, Varanasi.

His renowned book Sushruta Samhita contains 184 chapters, description of 1120 types of  illness, 700 medicinal plants, 64 preparations from mineral sources and 57 preparations based on animal sources.

Sushruta believed that knowledge of both surgery and medicine are essential to constitute a good doctor who otherwise “is like a bird with only one wing.”

Truly , he is the father of Indian Surgery