Sir MV as a Student

Sir M.V.  as a student

Visvesvaraya had his early schooling in Chikkaballapur Middle and High Schools. The Head Master of the school B. Venkatapathi Iyengar was very much impressed by the acumen of Visvesvaraya. The First Assistant of the School, Nathamuni Naidu was equally impressed and took personal insterest and gave extra instructions at home to Visvesvaraya.

After completing high school, and after the demise of his father, he came to Bangalore with his mother to pursue studies under the foster care of his maternal uncle  H. Ramaiah, who was holding a high placed position in the Govt. of Mysore Secretariat. He joined Central College, Bangalore in the year 1875. Here too, he impressed the Principal Mr. Waters, a Professor of Mathematics, who extended the required aid and patronage that helped him graduate with distinction. A pair of golden cuff-links, presented by Mr. Waters, was worn by Visvesvaraya all through.

Education in Bangalore was equally costly even in those days for a lad of the poor status of Visveswaraya who had a humble beginning. This compelled him to save money by extending private tuition to needy students. One of the needly students was C.A. Nanjappa who became a famous surgeon in Mysore Medical Service.

The photographs of the pair of golden cuff-links with the original box are courtesy, Smt. Shakuntala Krishnamurthy

Sri. M. Visvesvaraya joined Central College, Bangalore in the year 1875. He impressed the Principal Mr. Waters, a professor of Mathematics, by his calibre.

After retirement, Mr. Waters shifted to London and on his demise, his wife Mrs. Waters, as per the wishes of her husband, came to India & presented a pair of golden cuff – links to Visvesvaraya at Bombay where he was residing at that time and Visvesvaraya used to wear these cuffs all through his life.

The photographs of the pair of golden cuff-links with the original box are courtesy, Smt. Shakuntala Krishnamurthy, Bangalore-560 001

He obtained his B.A., degree in the year 1880 (then Madras University) after completing his studies in Central College, Bangalore.

He joined College of Science in Poona (now Pune) (the engineering college was then called by that name) with a scholarship from Mysore State. He was immaculate in his dress, habits, manners, daily routine and gained lot of experience by extensive interaction with persons of calibre and by visits to renowned Institutions.

In November 1883, he got his Licentiate Civil Engineer (L.C.E.), Bombay University, Poona (equivalent to B.E. Civil Degree), by standing first.