National Engineers' Day: PM Modi hails engineers as 'Karmayogis', tributes M. Visvesvaraya
Synopsis
On National Engineers' Day, PM Modi took to X to call India's engineers 'Karmayogis' and pay tribute to Sir M. Visvesvaraya — whose 1861 birth anniversary the day commemorates. The tribute connects to a larger government push positioning engineering talent as central to India's 'Viksit Bharat' ambitions.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi paid tribute to Sir M.
Visvesvaraya on National Engineers' Day, 15 September 2026 , via a post and video on X .
Modi described India's engineers as 'Karmayogis who transform dreams into reality.' Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya , born 15 September 1861 , is regarded as the 'Father of Modern Mysore' and was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1955 .
He was instrumental in building the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam and designing flood protection systems in Mysore.
The Government of India officially designated 15 September as National Engineers' Day in 1968 .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, 15 September 2026 paid tribute to legendary civil engineer and statesman Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya on National Engineers' Day, describing India's engineering community as 'Karmayogis' who transform dreams into reality. The Prime Minister shared his greetings and a video message on X, lauding engineers for their role in building, innovating, and delivering solutions for a better tomorrow.
Modi's Tribute on X
Taking to X, Prime Minister Modi extended his greetings to engineers across the country. 'Happy Engineers Day to all remarkable engineers, the people who build, innovate and provide solutions for a better tomorrow. Tributes to Sir M. Visvesvaraya, whose engineering genius and nation-building vision continue to inspire,' he wrote.
In an accompanying video, Modi elaborated on the contribution of engineers to India's growth story. 'Engineers do not merely build machines; they are the Karmayogis who transform dreams into reality. I applaud and commend every engineer of India. India has been home to many such engineers who turned the unimaginable into the imaginable and presented feats that are hailed as marvels in the world of engineering,' he said.
Visvesvaraya's Enduring Legacy
Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, born on 15 September 1861, is widely regarded as the 'Father of Modern Mysore' and one of India's foremost civil engineers. He was instrumental in the construction of the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam in Mysore and played a pivotal role in designing and implementing complex flood protection systems — engineering feats that continue to astonish experts today.
Modi specifically invoked Visvesvaraya's legacy in his video message: 'In our proud heritage of great engineers, we were also blessed with a priceless gem whose works continue to astonish people even today — and that was Bharat Ratna Dr M. Visvesvaraya. In his honour and memory, September 15 is celebrated as Engineers' Day. Following in his footsteps, the engineers of our nation have carved a distinct identity for themselves across the entire world. On this occasion, I respectfully salute all engineers and bow to their creative power of nation-building.'
Visvesvaraya was conferred the Bharat Ratna — India's highest civilian honour — in 1955, in recognition of his monumental contributions to public infrastructure, engineering, and society at large.
About National Engineers' Day
The Government of India officially designated 15 September as National Engineers' Day in 1968, marking the birth anniversary of Visvesvaraya. The day is observed annually across the country to commemorate his extraordinary contributions to engineering and nation-building, and to recognise the role of engineers in shaping modern India.
Why It Matters
Notably, Prime Minister Modi's tribute comes at a time when India is positioning itself as a global engineering and technology hub — from semiconductor manufacturing to space exploration. The repeated emphasis on engineers as 'Karmayogis' aligns with the broader government narrative of 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) by 2047, in which technical talent is expected to play a central role. With India producing among the largest numbers of engineering graduates globally each year, the symbolism of Engineers' Day extends well beyond ceremonial acknowledgement.
Point of View
But employability and quality gaps remain a documented concern. Honouring engineers on a symbolic day carries weight only if paired with policy investment in engineering education and research infrastructure — areas where India still lags global benchmarks. The invocation of Visvesvaraya, who built physical infrastructure against colonial-era constraints, is apt; the question is whether today's policy environment matches the ambition of that comparison.
NationPress
15 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is National Engineers' Day celebrated on September 15?
National Engineers' Day is observed on 15 September every year to mark the birth anniversary of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, born on this date in 1861. The Government of India officially designated the date as National Engineers' Day in 1968 in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to engineering and nation-building.
What did PM Modi say on National Engineers' Day 2026?
PM Modi posted on X describing engineers as 'Karmayogis who transform dreams into reality' and paid tribute to Sir M. Visvesvaraya's engineering genius and nation-building vision. He also shared a video message saluting the contributions of engineers across India.
Who was Sir M. Visvesvaraya and why is he remembered?
Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya was one of India's foremost civil engineers and statesmen, widely regarded as the 'Father of Modern Mysore.' He is remembered for building the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam, designing flood protection systems, and his broader contributions to public infrastructure that earned him the Bharat Ratna in 1955.
What award did Sir M. Visvesvaraya receive?
Sir M. Visvesvaraya was awarded the Bharat Ratna — India's highest civilian honour — in 1955, in recognition of his monumental contributions to engineering, public infrastructure, and society.
What is the significance of calling engineers 'Karmayogis'?
The term 'Karmayogi,' drawn from Indian philosophical tradition, refers to one who works selflessly and with devotion toward a larger purpose. PM Modi's use of the term elevates engineers beyond technical professionals to symbols of national service, aligning with the broader government narrative of citizen-driven development under the 'Viksit Bharat' vision.
