Tonse Madhav Ananth Pai

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Dr. Tonse Madhav Ananth Pai, (abbreviated: Dr. T.M.A. Pai), (April 30, 1898 - May 29, 1979), was an Indian country doctor, educationist, banker and philanthropist, most well known for building the university town of Manipal, Karnataka, India.

He was first to a start private, self financing medical college offering MBBS in India. Pai established the Kasturba Medical College, Manipal (KMC) in 1953 and Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1957, which was followed by a string of other education institutions including Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal College of Dental Sciences and Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences. He also established Syndicate Bank, which has its headquarters in Manipal. He was responsible for its popular Pigmy Deposit Scheme.

The Government of India brought out a stamp commemorating Pai on October 9, 1999. Dr Pai has also been recognised by Ripley's Believe It or Not as the person who has established the most number of education institutions in his lifetime.

Dr. T.M.A. Pai has been succeeded by his son Dr Ramdas Pai, who has been instrumental in expanding the horizons of the Manipal Group. He is the present Chancellor of Manipal University, (formerly known as MAHE).

From one medical college in 1953, their educational empire has expanded to 24 professional colleges in 12 professional streams with 9 campuses and 2 universities. The Manipal Group has gone global with campuses in Nepal, Malaysia, Dubai, Muscat, Sri Lanka and Antigua. It has its presence in 20 countries.

[edit] Quotes

"Dr T.M.A. Pai is one of the best organisers for the prosperity of any movement in our country", Varahagiri Venkata Giri , President of the Republic of India, 1967.^{[citation needed]}

"The work of men of imagination, enthusiasm and drive which is the greatest need of India today", Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India, describing Manipal in 1959.^{[citation needed]}

"Transformation of Manipal has come about through the vision and determination of a country doctor named Dr. TMA Pai, who sparked off a remarkable community enterprise in education planning and educational financing from co-operative sources", UNESCO Courier.^{[citation needed]}

Selden Menefee, international writer and author of "The Pais of Manipal" commented thus: "No plan quite like this been conceived anywhere else in India. It could only happen in Manipal".^{[citation needed]}