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Happy Engineer's Day !!!

" The Engineer's First problem in any design situation is to discover what the problem really is " – Sir M Visvesvaraya

Bharat Ratna Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya (September 15, 1860 – April 12, 1962) was called a wizard in engineering. He was also called the precursor of economic planning in India. He took an interest not in engineering alone, but was capable of applying his talent to many allied matters connected with the development of the nation.

He was an eminent Indian engineer and statesman. His learned discourse on economic planning in India entitled 'Planned Economy for India and Reconstructing India' was the first available document on the planning effort of the country and it is still held as the parent source matter for economic planners. He was also knighted by the British for his myriad contributions to the public good.

To commemorate the birthday of Bharat Ratna Sir M Visvesvaraya, the Council of the Institution decided to observe September 15 as the Engineers' Day every year.

Hats off to the Genius...

Happy Engineer's Day !!!

Ganpati Bappa Morya !!!

On Wednesday 6th September 2006, Mumbai bid adieu to it’s favorite God, Ganpati. As the ten day festival came to an end, the idols were taken to the various sea-fronts, mainly Dadar, Girgaum, Juhu and Marve for Visarjan.

This was the first I witnessed this festival in reality, before this I had always seen this on TV and films. Even though I visited only few Ganpati pandals but I was clearly able to see the enthusiasm amongst the Mumbaikars. This is one festival which most of the people celebrate here and that too with full josh.

I saw few Ganpati Visarjan processions too, they were awesome. People were playing with gulal, burning fireworks and dancing in front of the trucks, which were carrying the idols of Ganpati. Not only males but their female counterparts were also seen dancing in huge number. I saw some old ladies dancing with so much energy by which they must have not danced even in their son’s marriage. It was clearly visible that how much they’re enjoying and the degree of respect and love which they have towards Ganpati.

There is one special Ganpati of Mumbai, without whom we can’t finish discussion about the Ganpati festival in Mumbai. It is Navsala Pavnara Lalbaugcha Raja (Ganpati who fulfills vows / wishes). The Lalbaugcha Raja or Raja, as it is commonly known has a history of over 73 years. This is one pandal which received the award for Most Visited Pandal in Mumbai, according to the organizers more than 70 lakh devotees visited the pandal this year. The Visarjan procession of Raja takes more than 15 hours to reach its final destination, before moving through various parts of the city. Generally it is the last idol, to have Visarjan.

Ganpati Visarjan reminded me of all the festivals whether its Holi, Diwali and especially Dusherra. This time I really missed something good but I’ve decided that next year I’ll definitely try to visit more pandals and seek more blessings from Ganpati.

“Ganpati Bappa Morya,
Pudcha Varshi Laukar Ya”

No matter, what the odds are.....

A true story about one’s Vision, Determination and Persistence:-

In 1883, a creative engineer named John Roebling was inspired by an idea to build a spectacular bridge connecting New York with the Long Island. However bridge building experts throughout the world thought that this was an impossible feat and told Roebling to forget the idea. It just could not be done. It was not practical. It had never been done before.

Roebling could not ignore the vision he had in his mind of this bridge. He thought about it all the time and he knew deep in his heart that it could be done. He just had to share the dream with someone else. After much discussion and persuasion he managed to convince his son Washington, an up and coming engineer, that the bridge in fact could be built.

Working together for the first time, the father and son developed concepts of how it could be accomplished and how the obstacles could be overcome. With great excitement and inspiration, and the headiness of a wild challenge before them, they hired their crew and began to build their dream bridge.

The project started well, but when it was only a few months underway a tragic accident on the site took the life of John Roebling. Washington was injured and left with a certain amount of brain damage, which resulted in him not being able to walk or talk or even move.


"We told them so."
"Crazy men and their crazy dreams."
"It’s foolish to chase wild visions."

Everyone had a negative comment to make and felt that the project should be scrapped since the Roeblings were the only ones who knew how the bridge could be built. In spite of his handicap Washington was never discouraged and still had a burning desire to complete the bridge and his mind was still as sharp as ever.

He tried to inspire and pass on his enthusiasm to some of his friends, but they were too daunted by the task. As he lay on his bed in his hospital room, with the sunlight streaming through the windows, a gentle breeze blew the flimsy white curtains apart and he was able to see the sky and the tops of the trees outside for just a moment.

It seemed that there was a message for him not to give up. Suddenly an idea hit him. All he could do was move one finger and he decided to make the best use of it. By moving this, he slowly developed a code of communication with his wife.

He touched his wife's arm with that finger, indicating to her that he wanted her to call the engineers again. Then he used the same method of tapping her arm to tell the engineers what to do. It seemed foolish but the project was under way again.

For 13 years Washington tapped out his instructions with his finger on his wife's arm, until the bridge was finally completed. Today the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge stands in all its glory as a tribute to the triumph of one man's indomitable spirit and his determination not to be defeated by circumstances. It is also a tribute to the engineers and their team work, and to their faith in a man who was considered mad by half the world. It stands too as a tangible monument to the love and devotion of his wife who for 13 long years patiently decoded the messages of her husband and told the engineers what to do.

Perhaps this is one of the best examples of a never-say-die attitude that overcomes a terrible physical handicap and achieves an impossible goal.

Morale of the Story: Often when we face obstacles in our day-to-day life, our hurdles seem very small in comparison to what many others have to face. The Brooklyn Bridge shows us that dreams that seem impossible can be realized with determination and persistence, no matter what the odds are.