Manipal Group celebrates Founders’ Day

By Snehalatha, Udupi
Bellevision Media Network

Manipal, 02 May 2013: Manipalites take a trip down memory lane on April 30 every year. It is the Founders’ Day, and the Manipal Group of institutions celebrates the occasion with a lot of enthusiasm. Bhajans, tributes and reminiscences of the great deeds of Dr TMA Pai by those who knew him, marked the day’s programme. The day began with the recitation of Bhajans at Madhav Vihar and ended with a function at Fortune Inn Valley View where Prof Udupi R Rao, former chairman of Space Commission and Secretary Indian Space Research Organization was the chief guest.  He spoke of two meetings he had with Dr Pai. 

 
Chancellor of Manipal University, Dr Ramdas M Pai in his address explained how Dr TMA Pai viewed his own birthday. “Dr Pai attached great importance to people’s united effort and used to say his birthday is an occasion to remember the services of those who stood by him --- the staff, the donors and well-wishers --- in building the institutions,” Dr Ramdas said and added, “He desired to be only a symbolic founder. That is why it is Founders’ Day and not Founder’s Day”.  

 

Dr UR Rao addressing the gathering at the Founders’ Day celebrations

 

Manipal University employees stage the entertainment program during the Founders’ Day

 

The Chancellor spoke of how Dr TMA Pai worked build to build the institutions and thereafter the efforts to get a university status for these institutions. He even read out a letter dated August 16, 1977 sent to the then Prime Minister, Mr Morarji Desai making a case for a university status, which did not happen.

However, that bit of his dream remained unfulfilled. “Though he could not realize his dream of getting the university status during his lifetime, I am glad the institutions he built and which came up thereafter, could attract woprld-wide attention by their excellent performance paving the way for setting up of Manipal University which today is occupying a coveted position in the field of higher education,” Dr Ramdas Pai said.

Veteran journalist Dr M.V. Kamath, honorary director of School of Communication recalled interesting anecdotes and achievements of Dr TMA Pai. Dr Kamath recalled some of the trials and tribulations Dr Pai endured in setting up of schools and colleges in the region to establishing institutions of higher education in Manipal.

Pro Chancellor Dr H.S. Ballal also spoke of the greatness achieved by him. “For the Manipal Group of Institutions, today is a memorable day to celebrate the 115th birthday of our Founder the late Dr TMA Pai and today is also a day to remember the great services rendered by him and his close associates in alleviating the sufferings of the common people here particularly in the fields of illiteracy, ill-health and poverty.” Also present on the occasion were MR T Satish U Pai, Managing Director, Manipal Media Network Ltd and Dr K Ramnarayan, Vice Chancellor.

Two awards, Mrs Sharada M Pai and Dr Padma Rao Memorial Award for women achievers in the area of angawadi were also given on the occasion. The women who received the awards were, Mrs Saroja Acharya and Mrs Nagamma. The entertainment programme was presented by Manipal University team. The was “Manipal Education --  Then and today”