Newskarnataka – Manipal
Manipal: The interesting anecdotes and stories of how Manipal University came into existence, how Dr TMA Pai overcame obstacles in his attempt to change the face of Manipal and other regions were vividly presented by Dr Veerendra Heggade the Dharmadhikari of Shri Kshethra Dharmasthala at the Founders’ Day function in Fortune Inn Valley View here on Wednesday April 30.
He recalled his association with the architect of Manipal and said that Dr Pai had influenced him greatly. He said, “It was that influence which enabled me to spread the philosophy of Dr Pai to other places.” “The 12 years of my association with Dr Pai were a great learning period for me. I was quite influenced by Dr Pai’s concern for small farmers who during those days were very backward and innocent. The micro finance programme of Dr Pai which later became very famous as pigmy has long remained in my thoughts,” he said.
Dr Heggade said, “Dr Pai believed in hard work and savings. The message he would send out to people was to plan, develop and grow. His concept of savings has impressed me so much that even though I come from a religious background and head a temple, I also today manage one of the biggest micro finance programmes in the country.”
“Big achievements can be made only by a man who is content with small beginnings, that management adage was well imbibed and practiced by Dr Pai,” he said. “Introduction of self-reliance in education where the students contributed for acquiring knowledge through quality learning is a great concept developed at least in Indian by Dr T MA Pai. Manipal institutions have stood for quality which is a great contribution ot the society from the days of Dr TMA Pai.
“Philanthropy is good as a onetime medicine. But for sustainability you need to be self-reliant. Charge for services but give excellent services. This philosophy practiced by Dr TMA Pai is what I call the Manipal Model for education and healthy which are so essential for empowerment of our countrymen. We still need hundreds of institutions built on Manipal Model for our country to prosper,” he said.
Earlier, Dr HS Ballal, gave a brief account of the founding father and the institution. Dr G.K.Prabhu thanked the gathering.
