Dr. Tonse Madhav Anath Pai

Dr.Tonse Madhav Ananth Pai was popularly known as Dr.T.M.A.Pai born on 30-04-1898. He was an educationalist, banker, philanthropist and fomous physician. Most well-known for building the University town of Manipal. He was the first to start a private, self financing medical college.

Career
Dr. Pai persued his M.B.B.S. degree in Madaras. After M.B.B.S, he started his medical practice in his native Tonse. In 1925 Dr.Pai along with his brother Upendra Ananth Pai, established Syndicate Bank. Earlier it was called as The Canara Industrial and Banking Syndicate Limited. He was responsible for its popular Pigmy Deposit scheme. Dr Pai was President of the bank. He was the first to start a private, self-financing medical college offering M.B.B.S. in india. Dr. Pai established the Kasturba Medical College in 1953 and Manipal Institute of Technology in 1957, which was followed by a string of other educational institutions including Manipal college of Dental Science, Manipal College of Pharamaceutical Science, Manipal Pre-university College, Academy of General Education. He also started Manipal Industries.

Awards
Dr.Pai was conferred the “Padma Shri” by the Indian Government in 1972. He was awarded the degree “D.Litt.” by the Karnataka University, Dharawad in 1973 and the Andhra University, Vishakapatnam in 1975. The Government of India brought out a stamp commemorating birth centenary of Dr. Pai in 1999.