MyVoice: Views of our readers 12th April 2026

A salutation to India’s 'Modern Bhagiratha'

During every rainy season, the streets of Hyderabad are flooded, largely due to encroachment of tanks, nalas, and the absence of a modern drainage system. It may sound strange, but the city had once boasted of a great scientifically woven modern storm water protection and drainage system. This was designed by a visionary civil engineer, whose birthday on September 15 we celebrate as ‘Engineers Day’.

The engineer was none other than our pioneering 'Bharat Ratna' Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya (popularly known as MV). When the population of Hyderabad was about one lakh in 1908, he designed the system that could cover a population of five lakh. It is a pity that the same drainage system is being used for a population of about 1.1 crore. So much for our present protection system! The life story of this gifted engineer is an inspiration, and it serves many life lessons to our students.

Born on September 15, 1861, to Telugu-speaking parents at a small village near Bangalore, the child Visvesvaraya was initially reluctant to go to school only to later become the favourite student at Mission High School in the Garden City. While studying for his graduation, Visvesvaraya used to take tuitions in the mornings and walk four to five km to and from college. There also he was favourite of his principal, who gifted him an English dictionary and a pair of gold cufflinks, which Visvesvaraya was to treasure for his entire life.

After completing his BA with distinction, Visvesvaraya won a gold medal and a government scholarship to study outside his State. He studied LCE in Pune and won the most prestigious James Berkley Gold medal for securing the first rank. In those days rank students were directly given a government job and Visvesvaraya joined the PWD of Bombay at Nasik.

There he proved his mettle. The Bombay and Indian governments recognized him as a trouble-shooter, and assigned him many challenging and daunting tasks, which he accomplished with dexterity.

His solution to the problem of water supply to Sukkur, designing of automatic gates to ensure steady water supply to Pune, his imaginative plan to provide drinking water, a sewage system, and sanitation to the port of Aden were some of his initial achievements, which together won him an all-round approbation. All these feats and distinctions were the envy of the then British officers. So green eyed they were at this meticulous Indian engineer’s foresight that they compelled him to seek voluntary retirement. He had no other choice but oblige.

After his retirement, Visvesvaraya undertook a world tour to learn more about his work. During this period, the Musi River caused unprecedented floods in Hyderabad in 1908, killing about 15,000 people. The Nizam sent a message to Visvesvaraya, seeking his services and guidance to save the city. He came, saw, and conquered, quite literally!

Visvesvaraya proposed construction of two dams, forming the two lakes of Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar, and diverting the course of the Musi River to avoid floods in future, besides ensuring drinking water supply to the twin cities. His plans were grounded in phases and the rest is history. He also planned and oversaw the construction of a dam at the Vizag port to protect it from sea erosion. The first serpentine ghat road from Tirupati to the Tirumala hills was another feather in his cap.

As the chief engineer of Mysore, Visvesvaraya contributed a lot to the development of his own State. The Krishna Raja Sagar Dam near Mysore, and the mesmerising Brindavan Gardens came courtesy of his brainchild. The railways in Mysore rapidly developed during his tenure.

As the Diwan (Prime Minister-1912 to 1918) in the court of the Maharaja of Mysore his achievements ensured him a golden niche in the annals of Mysore history. Bangalore Agricultural University, State Bank of Mysore, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Mysore Soap factory, Mysore Lamps, Mysore Iron and Steel Works were some of the great institutions Visvesvaraya founded during the six-year golden period.

As a person, Visvesvaraya was honest, hardworking, and humble. He led a spartan life, ate frugal vegetarian food, and loved to wear clean and simple clothes. In fact, he once advised Mahatma Gandhi to wear good clothes at the Round Table Conferences. He remained a teetotaler, non-smoker, never used government vehicles for his personal needs, and never craved for awards and positions. But in recognition of his invaluable services in the fields of engineering and education, around 10 universities conferred Doctorate Degrees on him, while the Government of India conferred him with the Bharat Ratna.

He died peacefully in his sleep on April 14, 1962, aged 101. The eventful life of this incredible engineer is an open book, which teaches all our youngsters and prospective engineers that true patriotism is to place all our talents, knowledge, time and energy in the service of the country. Emulating him is our true and sincere tribute to the 'Modern Bhagiratha' of India.

M Somasekhar Prasad,Hyderabad-20

Let us accomplish the unfinished tasks of Dr Ambedkar

ThisApril 14th marks the 135th birth anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar. Revered as the principal architect of our Constitution, Babasaheb was also a beacon of hope for the marginalised and a tireless champion of human rights, social justice, and equality. His life stands as a powerful testament to the transformative force of education and unwavering determination in the face of deep-rooted social discrimination. While we celebrate Ambedkar Jayanti with enthusiasm each year, it is equally important to reflect on the continued relevance of his vision in present times. Despite constitutional safeguards, social disparities and caste-based discrimination persist, reminding us that his mission of building an equal society remains unfinished.

Ambedkar’s contributions extend far beyond constitution-making. His advocacy for women’s empowerment, labour rights and universal education was revolutionary and continues to inspire generations together. He envisioned democracy not merely as a system of governance, but as a way of life grounded in liberty, equality and fraternity.

In an era often marked by social discord, his emphasis on constitutional methods and rational thinking serves as a guiding light.

On this occasion, we must move beyond symbolic celebrations and pledge to uphold the values he stood for in our daily lives. Eliminating discrimination, promoting education, and ensuring equal opportunities for all should remain our collective responsibility. True homage to Ambedkar lies in empowering the marginalised and striving to build a more inclusive, just, and harmonious society.

Jubel D'Cruz,Mumbai

Tadiandamol peak has no safety protocols

A36-year-old software professional from Kerala recently survived three harrowing days after being lost in the dense forests of Kodagu in Karnataka. She had lost her way while trekking down from Tadiandamol Peak — the state’s third-highest summit at 1,748 metres — with no mobile network, wild elephants in the vicinity and leopards prowling nearby. Sharanya, a resident of Nadapuram in Kozhikode district, was finally rescued after a massive, coordinated search operation involving nearly 70 personnel. Thermal-imaging drones, sniffer dogs, mobile phone tracking, and analysis of her call data records were all pressed into service after she went missing on Thursday. On her way down, she lost the trail and attempted to reach the forest helpline and a friend but found herself without any network. She kept walking until 6.45 pm before coming upon a stream, where she decided to rest for the night. Despite the gravity of her situation, Sharanya never lost her composure. She told reporters in Kerala later that she knew elephants were present in the forest but was not afraid and remained confident throughout that she would make it out alive. The 36-year-old techie’s survival, against considerable odds, underscores both human endurance and the limits of preparedness. India's forested landscapes, particularly in ecologically sensitive regions like the Western Ghats, are as unforgiving as they are breathtaking. Yet, the growing popularity of trekking and adventure tourism has not been matched by a corresponding strengthening of safety protocols. Permits are often treated as formalities; real-time tracking remains rudimentary and awareness among trekkers about terrain-specific risks is uneven at best.

Yash Pal Ralhan,Jalandhar-144001

Poetry is all over

Who says poetry is only found in poetry books?

But I behold and feel poetry everywhere

Around me, greeting me, making me savour

All its wondrous beauty every day, every moment;

I feel poetry In the radiant, warmth

Of the morning Sun-rays streaming through

The window of my bedroom, caressing me, waking me;

I hear poetry in the whistling, melodious morning breezes

And in the chirping of birds perched on tree-branches;

I see poetry in the blossoms of myriad hues

Blooming in our garden butterflies flitting

About in morning; I spot poetry

In the full Moon spreading silvery carpet on the earth

And in the twinkling, winking, gleaming

Stars in the Sky; I experience poetry

In the rain descending from the dark Sky,

Pattering on the roof-tops of houses, creating

Rainy melodies; I capture poetry

In the guileless smiles of a child and in the rosy,

Serene smiles of a baby sleeping in cradle;

I relish poetry in the chanting

Of priests and devotees praising the glories of God

In prayers and worships at temples, everywhere,

At all times , poetry flows ceaselessly

Like perennial streams In mountains;

If we possess aesthetic eyes and sensitive hearts,

We can see, feel, savour, relish and cherish

Poetry with realisation dawning over us,

The world ever resonates with poetry.

Dr Venugopala Rao Kaki,Kakinada

Fragility fallout impacting global economy

Withreference to the article “When global fragility becomes everyone’s burden” (THI April 10), the piece brings out a compelling and uncomfortable truth: global conflicts no longer stay contained but spill over, pushing economic shocks onto nations that had little to do with their origins. The central idea clearly points out how interdependence, once expected to smooth things out, now ends up passing on the burden of crises. The Russia–Ukraine war drives home how disruptions in wheat and fertilizer supplies can quickly snowball into inflation and fiscal strain across developing economies. Instead of balancing risks, global systems often amplify them, leaving vulnerable nations to cope with consequences they did not sign up for. Governments, therefore, must step up and work out resilient policies rather than merely reacting after crises break out. They need to build up strategic reserves, diversify imports, and back up regional cooperation frameworks that can cushion shocks. At the same time, stronger global coordination must be carried out to rein in the unchecked spread of economic disruptions. People, too, have a role to play. Citizens can cut down excessive consumption, shift towards sustainable choices, and stay aware of how global events shape local realities. Public awareness can push policymakers to take forward more accountable and balanced decisions. Traders and businesses must not cash in on crises by driving up prices unfairly. Instead, they should step in responsibly, smooth out supply chains, and hold back speculative practices that worsen inflation. Ethical trading can go a long way in easing pressure on ordinary consumers. In conclusion, as the article rightly sets out, global fragility is no longer distant—it hits home. Unless all stakeholders come together to sort out systemic gaps, the world risks sliding into recurring instability rather than building lasting stability.

Raju Kolluru,Kakinada

Global South must stand united

Apropos“When global fragility becomes everyone’s burden” (THI, April 10), the article rightly points out how conflicts far away, like the Russia-Ukraine war, now quickly translate into higher fuel and food prices for ordinary people in India and other developing nations. Globalisation, once seen as a stabilising force, has instead amplified these shocks. What we need is not just better crisis management but stronger mechanisms for collective action. India could push for more inclusive forums where emerging economies have a real say in trade rules, sanctions policy, and energy security arrangements. Greater coordination among the Global South on food and fertiliser stocks, along with investment in domestic production, would help cushion future blows. A rules-based order must serve everyone, not just the powerful.

A Myilsami,Coimbatore-641402

Symbolism cannot stabilise a fragile world

Thisrefers to the article "When global fragility becomes everyone's burden," (THI, April 10). The article correctly identifies the central paradox of our times — decisions are made in a few powerful capitals, but consequences are absorbed by many vulnerable nations. The Russia-Ukraine war's ripple effects on food prices and fertiliser supplies across Asia and Africa illustrated this asymmetry painfully. What is needed is not just institutional reform of bodies like the UN Security Council, but genuine political will among larger economies to treat global stability as a shared responsibility rather than a strategic tool. India's multi-alignment approach offers a reasonable template. Representation without accountability, however, remains merely symbolic — and symbolism alone cannot stabilise a fragile world.

K Sakunthala,Coimbatore-641016

Women's entry to Sabarimala temple

TheSupreme Court, while reviewing the Sabarimala case, has maintained that exclusion of women from entering the temple would harm Hinduism. God has created both men and women, will He then wish that a particular gender not be allowed to enter his place of worship, it wanted to know. It is argued that Sabarimala temple is managed by the Nair Service Society and other organisations. Hence it being a denominational temple they have the right to restrict the entry for other denominations under Article 26. But then this is directly in conflict with Article 25 that allows all persons a fundamental right to freedom of conscience to practice any religion. In the absence of puranas, shastras or other scriptures specifically prohibiting women from entering the sanctum sanatorium of Lord Ayyappa, the restriction remains imperfect.

P R Ravinder, Hyderabad.