Sir Mokshagundam Visveswaraya popularly known as Sir MV was an eminent engineer, visionary, and the Diwan of Mysore during 1912 to 1919. He was the man behind the construction of the Krishna Raja Sagara dam in Mysore and the recipient of the prestigious Bharat Ratna. In recognition of his contributions, he was knighted as a Commander of the Indian Empire by King George V. It would not be an exaggeration to say that he has a profound effect on the science we know and love. September 15 is celebrated as Engineer’s Day in India in his memory. To honour the memory and as a tribute to such a great personality, the Visveswaraya Technological Museum was instituted in the 1960.Around 1960 prominent industrialists acted on an idea of setting up an industrial museum as part of the centenary celebrations of Sir MV and the Visveswaraya Industrial Museum society was formed. About 40,000 sq ft area was utilised in Cubbon Park with financial support of industrialists, the State and Government of India to build the Museum. It was inaugurated by late Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on November 11, 1962. The first gallery on “Electro Technic” was opened to the public on 27th July, 1965. Even to this day the Museum’s popularity has not diminished. Thousands of visitors mostly school children come to enrich their minds. For the adults it’s a refresher course in Science.The Museum consists of four floors of myriad scientific experiments and displays. The entrance has a Sir MV corner dedicated to Visveswaraya where his belongings and accomplishments have been displayed. The exhibits include the Engine Hall, Electro-technic Hall, Fun Science section, Space-Emerging Technology in the service of mankind, Biotechnological Revolution, BEL-Hall of Electronics and a Science for Children section.The twisting, turning, whooping, whizzing machines in the Engine Hall will make your mind dizzy while the ingenuity of the inventions is guaranteed to astound you. The exhibits are interactive unlike stationary models of a museum. Some of the most complex phenomenon are presented in a do-it-yourself and see-how-it-works simplified manner that will light the fire of passion of science irrespective of whether you are inclined towards it or not. There are some special exhibits like the Dinosaur Corner and the Wright brothers aeroplane that is sure to make your day at the Museum.It also has a rare collection of scientific artefacts such as the Reaction Turbine, Steam Wagon, Mechanical Calculator, Edison’s Phonograph and the Gramophone. Science shows are organised to introduce and enlighten visitors on the magical world of science.In 1962, the Museum was handed over to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). In 1978, when the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) was formed, Visveswaraya Industrial and Technological Museum became its southern headquarters. The Council has a chain of 28 centers spread all over India. The objective of the Council is to popularise science through interactive exhibits.
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