Manipal, today, is a knowledge powerhouse and a brand name in higher education. Over five and half decades ago, one man, Dr Tonse Madhava Anantha Pai, had a vision which ensured that everything he did then, was consigned to posterity, making sure that generation after generation of students enjoy the fruits of his labour till eternity on this lateritic plateau. And the students will, forever, have one name on their lips, that of Manipal. Manipal University is a name to remember, not just across the length and breadth of India, but worldwide. The fact that students from 52 countries are studying here is a testimony to this fame. Fired by the desire to provide health care and other essential services to the people of this region, Dr TMA Pai transformed the plateau into what it now is. He turned the wilderness into a sanctuary of education.
In 1953, he set up Kasturba Medical College, the first private medical college in the voluntary sector. And, with that began the story of Manipal University. Then, in 1957 came the engineering college, the dental college, pharmacy college and so on and so forth. Initially, these institutes were affiliated to different universities. Dr TMA Pai passed on the baton of leadership to his son, Dr Ramdas M Pai who is the present President and Chancellor of the University. Located on the west coast of South India, Manipal was a barren wasteland, a plateau with wild animals. It was this plateau that Dr TMA Pai decided to change. His vision for Manipal covered a wide spectrum of interests because he himself donned many hats. He was a physician, an educationist, a banker and above all, a philanthropist at heart.
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