Tonse Madhava Ananth Pai
(30th April 1898 – 29th May 1979)
Dr. TMA Pai, an eminent Indian educator and philanthropist, is being honoured on the occasion of his 125th birthday anniversary. Dr. Pai, who was born in Udupi, Karnataka, on 30th October 1898, made significant contributions to the field of education and shaped the landscape of higher education in India.
Dr. Pai had the vision of making the society rid of the three major ills of illiteracy, ill-health and poverty. He had the conviction that illiteracy could be effectively tackled by starting educational institutions as private enterprises without entirely depending on financial support of the government. Under the sponsorship of Academy of General Education which he founded in 1942, he started with public support and cooperation, a number of high schools and first-grade arts, science and commerce colleges and a medical college in 1953 - India's first ever non-missionary self-financing private medical college.
His vision and dedication to providing quality education resulted in the establishment of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), which has become a renowned centre of learning, incorporating numerous disciplines including medicine, engineering, and management, etc.
Dr. TMA Pai was profoundly invested in philanthropy as well as education. He initiated a number of philanthropic endeavours with a focus on healthcare, rural development, and social welfare. His efforts have improved the lives of innumerable individuals and communities over time.
Dr. TMA Pai's contributions continue to inspire generations and his unwavering dedication to education, innovation, and social responsibility serves as a beacon for educational institutions and philanthropic initiatives around the globe. Dr. TMA Pai's legacy exemplifies the transformative force of education and the indelible mark an individual can leave on society.
