“On the auspicious occasion of Vaisakhi, it is my proud privilege to pay tribute to Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya, the great visionary of India who envisaged a river-linkage project for channelising productive use of our water resources. Today, his death anniversary coincides with Mahavir Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, Vishu, the Hindu New Year of South Indians and Ambedkar Jayanti, the 131st birth anniversary of the Father of India’s Constitution. It was Sir M. Visvesvaraya’s vision to create an international trade center in the commercial capital of India. WTC Mumbai is the living monument of his vision. A great engineer, Sir M. Visvesvaraya, recognised the importance of planning and suggested a ten year plan for the economic development of the country in his book ‘Planned Economy for India’ in the year 1934,” said Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, MVIRDC World Trade Center (WTC) Mumbai at the 60th Death Anniversary Memorial Service of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, organised by M Visvesvaraya Industrial Research and Development Centre (MVIRDC), the promoting body of WTC Mumbai.

Dr. Kalantri further remarked “Water crisis may trigger the next World War, and therefore, it is very important to conserve water. Sustainable use of our limited natural resources is the need of the hour, and imperative for food security. This can be achieved through water harvesting and making judicious use of water.”

Speaking on the occasion, Capt. Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman, MVIRDC WTC Mumbai suggested, “Located in the Western Ghats of India, Maharashtra receives ample rainfall which traverses from the mountains to the sea. By trapping this water right at the foothill, it can be dissemintaed to the drought-prone areas of the state. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has created severe shortage of wheat output, and India is able to meet a part of world demand owing to its record wheat production. To keep up this momentum, we need to save our water resources.”

Ms. Rupa Naik, Executive Director, MVIRDC WTC Mumbai remarked, “The dream of Sir M. Visvesvaraya to create a world-class international trade center was fulfilled by Shri S.K. Wankhede in the form of WTC Mumbai. WTC Mumbai endeavours to continue to serve the global trade and business community by providing path-breaking reearch, training, trade promotion and commercial facilities.”

The 60th Death Anniversary Memorial Service was attended by the members of Council of Management and staff of MVIRDC WTC Mumbai. The programme was also addressed by Capt. Ramesh Gulati and Mr. Arun P. Meghani, Members of the Council of Management, MVIRDC WTC Mumbai.

Garlanding Sir M. Visvesvaraya: Members of the Council of Management, MVIRDC WTC Mumbai, paying tribute to Sir M. Visvesvaraya on his 60th Death Anniversary. (From L-R): Ms. Rupa Naik, Executive Director, MVIRDC WTC Mumbai, Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, MVIRDC WTC Mumbai, Capt. Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman, MVIRDC WTC Mumbai and Capt. Ramesh Gulati, Member, Council of Management, MVIRDC WTC Mumbai