Engineers' role in nation building is extremely vital: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tribute to Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya on his birth anniversary and extended his greetings to engineers across the country on Engineers Day.

Highlighting the contribution of engineers to India's development, Modi said their expertise and dedication have played a vital role in nation building.

"On Engineers Day, I congratulate our hardworking engineers and appreciate their dexterity as well as dedication. Their role in nation building is extremely vital," Modi said in a tweet.

He also remembered Visvesvaraya, one of India's most celebrated engineers, on his birth anniversary and shared a video featuring his remarks from a recent episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat.

In his August 26 broadcast, Modi had spoken about engineers who had transformed ideas that once appeared impossible into reality through innovation and technical expertise.

Referring to Visvesvaraya as a "diamond" among India's great engineers, the Prime Minister highlighted his contribution to irrigation and water management. He specifically mentioned the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam in Karnataka, whose construction under Visvesvaraya's leadership helped improve irrigation and continues to benefit farmers and communities.

September 15 is observed as Engineers Day in India to commemorate Visvesvaraya's birth anniversary. Born in 1861, he became known for his contributions to engineering, water-resource management and public infrastructure and was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, in 1955.

Modi also noted that Indian engineers have established a strong reputation internationally by contributing to major infrastructure, technology and industrial projects.

Engineers Day serves as an annual reminder of the profession's wider role in India's economic and social development, particularly as the country seeks to expand infrastructure, embrace new technologies and find solutions to complex challenges in areas such as water, energy and transportation.