Patronage
Maharaja Alak Narayana Society of Arts and Science
Since 12th November, 1958.
Sri P. Anand Gajapathi Raju, the eldest son of Dr. P.V.G. Raju—the last crowned prince—assumed the position of Chairman of MANSAS (Maharaja Alak Narayan Society of Arts and Science) in November 1995, upon the passing of his father, who attained the eternal abode. Since then, he has continued the family’s legacy, offering visionary leadership that has driven the development and expansion of MANSAS Educational Institutions.
Under his able leadership, and in alignment with the trust’s core objectives and the founding vision of Dr. P.V.G. Raju, two premier professional colleges were established:
- Maharaj Vijayaram Gajapathi College of Engineering – 1997
- Maharaj College of Pharmacy – 2004
Professional education has remained a central focus for Dr. P. Anand Gajapathi Raju. From inception, he provided committed guidance and leadership to these institutions, playing a pivotal role in building their reputations among academic peers, students, and other stakeholders.
Furthering this initiative, several postgraduate and professional programs were introduced, including:
- Master of Computer Applications (MCA)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- About six other postgraduate programs, relevant and contemporary to the period
These developments collectively led to the establishment of the exclusive, standalone Maharaja’s PG College, further strengthening the higher education landscape in the region.
A scholar with a deep interest in economics—particularly macroeconomics — Dr. Anand Gajapathi Raju pursued academic research at Andhra University, where he was awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy in Economics. His scholarly work, shaped by the geopolitical context of macroeconomic systems, resulted in several unpublished writings, including:
- Stray Thoughts on Political Economy
- Random Thoughts on Indian Economy
In 2003, Anand was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the Inter American University of Humanistic Studies, Florida, USA. In 2009 he received a Ph.D. from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam for his work on Economic Policies in Society.
One of the profound dreams of the late Dr. P.V.G. Raju was to empower the tribal communities of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh through education. He envisioned the establishment of a Tribal University, and to that end, expressed a clear intention to the Central Government, offering to donate land for the cause.
Carrying forward this vision, Dr. P. Anand Gajapathi Raju—along with his brother Sri P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju, then Union Minister for Civil Aviation—offered around 3,600 acres of land in Pachipenta Village, Vizianagaram District, for the proposed university. This initiative gained momentum when, after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, the Central Government began actively considering the establishment of a Tribal University in the residual state.
In addition to his contributions to education, Dr. P. Anand Gajapathi Raju also had a distinguished political career. He was elected multiple times to both the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly and the Parliament of India. Between 1983 and 1985, he served as Minister for Health and Education in the Government of Andhra Pradesh. During his tenure, he was instrumental in introducing EAMCET, the state-level entrance examination for engineering admissions.
His passion for education—rooted in both heritage and public service—continues to shape the direction and success of MANSAS, embodying the spirit and vision of his father, the revered Rajasaheb Dr. P.V.G. Raju.