MAHE Celebrates Chancellor Dr. Ramdas Pai’s 90th with Service and Excellence
MANIPAL, September 17, 2025 – The Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is honoring the 90th birthday of its Chancellor, Dr. Ramdas M. Pai, with a multi-day celebration focused on community service, academic discourse, and the arts, reflecting the Padma Bhushan awardee’s lifelong ethos.
The festivities, running from September 16-18, have seen unprecedented engagement from students, faculty, healthcare professionals, and the public, underscoring the profound impact of Dr. Pai’s visionary leadership in education and healthcare.
A Legacy of Service and Compassion
At the heart of the celebrations is a significant drive for blood donation and organ pledging. The campaign has already registered over 200 donors, with the drive continuing through September 18. In a profound gesture, numerous individuals have also pledged their organs, initiating the development of a new voluntary donor registry.
Extending this spirit of care, MAHE organized fruit bag distributions for patients at multiple healthcare facilities, including Kasturba Hospitals in Manipal and Mangalore, and government hospitals in the Udupi and Mangalore districts.
Academic Discourse and National Participation
The Volunteer Services Organization (VSO) hosted the 6th National Conference on Youth in Social Change, themed “Leading the Green Transition for a Sustainable Future.” The event saw over 700 delegates participate, featuring insights from international experts like Prof. Peter Moser (University of Leoben, Austria) and Prof. John Gilbert (University of British Columbia, Canada). The conference included a showcase by 15 NGOs and a presentation of 110 posters on UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Concurrently, the MAHE National Photo Awards 2025 attracted over 2000 entries from across India. The exhibition, on display at Dr. TMA Pai Halls until September 19, features winning photographs from categories celebrating monsoon aesthetics and campus life.
Honoring Regional Artistry with Healthcare
In a move that ties culture to community welfare, MAHE announced the extension of its Manipal Arogya Card to nearly 1,000 local Yakshagana artists and their families. This initiative will provide them with special discounts on healthcare services across MAHE hospitals.
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Leadership Reflects on a Transformative Legacy
Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor of MAHE, remarked, “Celebrating Dr. Ramdas Pai’s 90 years is celebrating nine decades of transformational leadership… His philosophy that education must serve society continues to guide our mission.”
Dr. H.S. Ballal, Pro-Chancellor, MAHE, stated, “These celebrations are not just a tribute to his past achievements, but a commitment to carrying forward his legacy of compassionate leadership and innovation.”
Widely recognized as the architect of modern Manipal, Dr. Pai has been instrumental in expanding his father Dr. T.M.A. Pai’s initial vision into a global network of universities and one of India’s most trusted healthcare brands. Commemorative events are also being held at all Manipal Group campuses worldwide, including in Dubai, Malaysia, and Antigua.
The celebrations will continue with the 4th Convention of Academy of General Education (AGE) College Teachers on September 20 in Moodbidri.
