Visvesvaraya, Muthulakshmi and Mahalanobis 

Syllabus :GS1/History/GS3/Economy 

In Context

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Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya

• He was born on September 15, 1861 and is regarded as one of India’s greatest engineers whose pioneering work revolutionised infrastructure development. 
• He also served as the Diwan of Mysore and president of the All-India Manufacturers’ Organisation.
• He was a key figure in India’s push for industrial modernity during colonial times. 
• He led pioneering projects in irrigation, flood control, education, infrastructure, and economic planning.
• He believed in self-reliance, integrity, and national progress through education and development.
• He was conferred with the Bharat Ratna in 1955 and his legacy extends beyond engineering to economics, governance and nation-building, making him one of the most influential figures in modern India.

Muthulakshmi Reddy

• Muthulakshmi Reddy, born in Pudukottai, overcame early discrimination to become the first Indian woman surgeon from Madras Medical College. 
• A pioneer in women’s rights, she was also the first woman legislator in Madras, who fought against the Devadasi system.
• She founded the Avvai women’s shelter, and established the Adyar cancer hospital with a commitment to equal treatment for all patients.
• Her legacy lives on through Tamil Nadu’s maternity benefit scheme named after her, and her inspirational impact remains strong in her hometown.

Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis

• Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, initially a science student in England, became a pioneer in applying statistics for India’s economic development. 
• He founded the Indian Statistical Institute in 1932 and the National Sample Survey in 1950, which played a key role in shaping India’s data-driven planning, especially during the Second Five Year Plan focused on industrial growth. 
• His surveys provided critical insights into poverty, employment, and consumption across India. 
• He believed statistics should serve the purpose of addressing poverty, highlighting his commitment to public service and national progress—values shared by other reformers like Visvesvaraya and Muthulakshmi Reddy.

How did they shape modern India?

• They  made foundational contributions to independent India through public service and institutional development.
• United by their commitment to public service, institutional reform, and social progress, they helped define India’s post-independence aspirations and left enduring legacies in engineering, healthcare, and economic governance.

Source:TH