Tonse Ramesh Upendra Pai, son of Tonse Upendra Ananth Pai was the Chairman of MahaRashtra Apex Corporation Ltd. He was also the Director of several Joint stock Companies, including Reliance Industries. He was awarded the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award in 1998.
He was the recipient of 'State Award' from the Government of Karnataka in 1998 for his contribution in education, and recipient of the highest honour award of Rotary International for Rotarians "Service Above self Award" for 2001–02.
Ramesh Pai hailed from a family of Bankers, his father Upendra Anantha Pai founded Syndicate Bank. He was the chairman of Maharashtra Apex Corporation Ltd. He was also Director of Several Joint Stock Companies, including Reliance Industries Ltd. Even a number of Industrial Units and financial institutions had the blessings and involvement of this great leader.
He had the opportunity of working very closely with his uncle, Dr. T. M. A. Pai, in founding the Kasturba Medical College at Manipal, Institute of Technology, Welcom Group School of Hotel Administration, College of Dental Surgery, College of Pharmaceutical sciences and several other Educational institutions right from Kindergarten to College level in different centres in Dakshina Kannada, viz. Kasturba Hospital at Manipal and Mangalore, and Manipal Hospital at Bangalore.
He married Ms.Shanti who gave him full support in all his activities. They have two sons Sudhakar Pai, an Engineer trained in Management and Finance, who has been looking after various commercial organisations and is the managing director of Kurl-On, India's largest mattress maker. His other son Dr. Shantharam Pai has done MS (General Surgery), and is working at Loma Linda University, California, USA. His elder daughter Shobha is in California and younger daughter Dr. Sheela is a Gynecologist in U.A.E.
Academy of General Education which, at last count, ran four kindergarten, six primary and eight secondary schools, six first grade colleges and a School of Music and fine Arts.
Hindu Orphanage,
Kasturba Medical College, Manipal and Mangalore,
College of Dental Surgery, Manipal and Mangalore
College of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
College of Nursing,
Manipal Institute of Technology,
Manipal College of Education,
Vaikunta Baliga Law College,
Welcomegroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration,
Two Polytechnics,
School of Nursing,
Sharada Residential School,
Several centres for Computer Education,
Chairman Vidhyadhiraj Theerth Charitable Trust,
Trustee Manipal Indusial Trust,
Member Senate of Madras University,
Member Senate of Mangalore University,
Member Court of Goa University,
Member Syndicate of Mysore University,
Represented India at the 50th Assembly of American Association of Junior Colleges 1970,
Chairman of Indian Chapter of Friends World College New York
The Kasturba Medical College & Hospital Manipal,
College of Dental Surgery Manipal & Mangalore,
Dr.T.M.A Pai Health Complex Udupi,
Dr.T.M.A. Pai Rotary Hospital Mangalore,
Manipal Hospital Bangalore,
Rural Maternity & Child Welfare center (7 centres),
Karkala health Project & Maternity Hospital,
Manipal Artificial Limb Centre,
OEU Institute of Ophthalmology
Charter Secretary 1958,
First DG of Dist. 3180 (1970–72),
Founder Rotary News Trust-Regional Magazine "Rotary News",
Member RI Extension Committee 1978–81,
RI Director 1992–94,
Chairman RI Audit Committee 1993–94,
Liaison Director Hunger Task Force 1993–94,
Liaison Director Rotary Volunteers Task Force,
Member Indian National Polio-Plus Committee,
Member Polio Plus Speakers' Bureau, 1996–98,
Member election Review Committee, 1996–98,
Member Paul Harris Scholars Centres Committee 1997–98,
Chairman Four Dist. Conferences, Dist. 3180,
RI Pres. Rep. to Dist. Conferences several times,
He & Shanti are Paul Harris Fellows & Benefactors of the Rotary Foundation and are Major Donors,
Member Executive Committee, Rotary Foundation India,
Vice-Chairman RI Election Review Committee, 1998–99 & 1999–2000,
Member RI nominating Committee for electing RI President for 2000–2001.
Civic and Public Service
Mayor, Shivally Panchayat 25 years.
Councillor, Udupi Municipality 5 years.
Asst. Commissioner, Bharat Scouts 10 years
Vice-President-Govt of India Coir Board
Former Member of Regional Committee of Industrial Development Bank of Indian Zonal Committee of Life Insurance Corp. (South Zone)
President-Udupi Handloom Owners' Association
President-Udupi Co-operative Milk Society
President-Shivalli Weavers' Production and Sale society
Founder President Consumers' Cooperative Society, Manipal
President-Manipal House Bldg. Co-operative Society
Chairman Canara Milk Producers' Co-operative Union Ltd. 5.12
Chairman – Manipal Co-operative Bank Ltd.
Chairman & managing director-Maha Rashtra Apex Corp. Ltd.
Chairman Emeritus- Kurlon Ltd.
Chairman – Canara Steel Ltd.
Chairman – Manipal Home Finance Ltd.
Chairman – Reliance Industries Ltd.
Director – Reliance Industries.
Director – Andhra Sugars Ltd.
Director – Dupont Kurlon Ltd.
Director – Sealy Kurlon Ltd.
Director – Pushya Industrial Gases Ltd.
Director – Manipal Holdings Ltd.
Director – Manipal Power Co Ltd.
Director – Manipal Telephone & Telecommunications Ltd.
Director – Manipal Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Director – Manipal Control Data Electronic Commerce Ltd.
Ramesh Pai was a member of an Industrial Delegation to Japan & South East Asian Countries in 1953, leader of the Study Team sponsored by Coir Board visiting East Africa, Ethiopia and Sudan in 1968, was member of an Indian Trade Delegation to Italy in 1970. He also visited Russia, East European Countries in 1961, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and most of the European Countries and South America. Coffee marketing delegation to Germany, Switzerland, Italy and UK (1997).
Awards and recognitions
"Karnataka Rajyotsava Award 1998"
"Academy Award" for outstanding work in the field of Education.
"Vidya Bhushan" Award by Paryayam Swamiji, Udupi.
"Vidhyadhiraja" Award by Gokarn Math Swamiji, Parthagali.
"Recipient of the key to the City of Miami Beach, USA (1959).
Citation from International Planned Parenthood Federation, London for outstanding contribution as Vice-President of the Family Planning Association of India for over 25 years.
RI President recognised Mr Pai as "One of the Rotary's 10 Best" at Glasgow International Institute 1997.
RI President's Golden Century Citation Award.
New Year's Award instituted by Rotary Club of Udupi-Manipal in collaboration with the Academy of General Education, Manipal & Syndicate Bank for his distinguished work in the field of Education.
Awardee of the 2000 Millennium Medal of Honor by the American Biographical Institute, USA.
His name has been included in the century long Marquis Who's Who tradition of biographical excellence – The 30th Edition 1998–99 "Who's Who in Finance & Industry", USA.
